No need for 2nd Apex bridge opening ceremony: Iqaluit council
Residents already held celebration Nov. 16; councillors suggest naming bridge, unveiling commemorative plaque
Apex residents take part in a community-led celebration to mark the opening of the Apex bridge on Nov. 16. Iqaluit city councillors elected to not pursue a second city-organized celebration, and instead explore naming ideas and a possible plaque unveiling. (File photo by Daron Letts)
Iqaluit councillors voted Tuesday against an official city-organized celebration of the new Apex bridge after a community-led celebration already took place.
The proposal, included in the council agenda, was to host a grand opening ceremony the week of Dec. 9.
“The general consensus that I’ve received is that residents of Apex feel their event was sufficient,” Coun. Kyle Sheppard said.
“The suggestions that have been provided to me were that the city undertake a naming project to name the bridge and put a plaque on it, and maybe to hold an event once that comes to fruition.”
Apex residents held a party Nov. 16 to celebrate the two-lane bridge’s opening, three days after the structure was cleared for traffic and pedestrians.
Councillors largely agreed with Sheppard’s suggestion, although Coun. Methusalah Kunuk said he didn’t know a celebration had already happened.
Coun. Simon Nattaq spoke of the legacy of the old bridge, which was built in 1955 by members of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Apex residents. It served the community nearly seven decades until its dismantling earlier this year.
While the Second World War-era bridge was designed to be easily erected and dismantled, it’s no longer structurally sound and won’t be put into service elsewhere, said city spokesperson Geoff Byrne.
“Unfortunately, the Bailey bridge was not salvageable,” he said in an email. “It was near the end of its life cycle. Additionally, some of the joints were seized and had to be cut apart during its removal.”
Nattaq noted during the meeting that the bridge was already “old” when he was younger.
The councillor also reflected on the many Iqaluit and Apex residents who used the old bridge in their regular commutes, but have passed on over the years. He suggested the city consider people to name the bridge after.
“I commend the residents of Apex for taking it upon themselves to celebrate this new bridge,” said Coun. Amber Aglukark, adding she agreed that a celebration of a new name and plaque would suffice.
The matter is now back with city staff with the instruction to look at renaming the bridge.
— With files from Daron Letts
I remain amazed at the affection and support for our old bridge.
Thanks to City staff who were very generous in suggesting a City-sponsored event. I had heard a rumour, but it was news to us that they were proceeding with this plan.
City counsellors were also generous in their stories – it is great for all of us to have an on-time, on budget purposeful project that remind us of our heritage.
It is rare that infrastructure gets so much attention, and it would make sense to have a plaque some day commemorating the history.
Meanwhile, please feel free to honk or shout on your first crossing of the new bridge. We can all do with a bit of everyday joy.
Heard a rumor that a group of party goers are going to take turns crossing the bridge a 4 a.m.on Mondays and are a honking their way across and back to cele rate
.
I had fun with the old bridge while living in Apex a while ago. I was towing Moe’s trailer back to Apex and just as I was at the south end, the trailer wheel brushed the only tire ripping gashed angle iron ripping the tire. That anomaly was eventually cut off later. Fun stuff
I would like to suggest a name for the new bridge. I think Robert (Bob) Hanson deserves to be recognized in iqaluit and Apex. I loved going over to the bridge during the spring run off to see the waterfall it has created.