Huron Expositor, 2007-10-17, Page 14The Huron Expositor • October 17, 2007 Page 13
News -
Historic 1885 Ball's Bridge officially reopened
Huron
Friends, politicians gather to celebrate 122 -year-old historic bridge in
Cheryl Heath
MiEMMEEEZED
Ball's Bridge is back in business.
The historic circa -1885 double -
truss metal structure, whose fate
once seemed up in the air, drew
dozens of supporters Saturday
afternoon as the Friends of Ball's
Bridge, along with area politicians,
gathered to bear witness to the offi-
cial reopening of the structure that
closed for what was viewed by some
as for good in the spring of 2006.
Darryl Bali, a descendant of the
family that inspired the bridge,
acted as the day's master of cere-
monies — a task he was "proud" to
perform.
"This is the bridge that love built,"
he says in reference to the fabled
story of how a young Ball family
member drew the adoration of an
engineer — so much so that he con-
structed a bridge so she would
never again have to get her feet wet
while traversing the. Maitland River
to get to the market in Goderich.
Today, said Ball, the bridge still
ties communities together and, most
recently, the efforts to keep the
bridge proudly standing where it
has for 122 years have proven that.
"This bridge will be
here for years to come,"
he said, adding kudos
to the Municipalities of
Ashfield-Colborne-
Wawanosh and Central
Huron, the County of
Huron, and Huron -
Bruce MPP Carol
Mitchell, for pitching in
with the necessary
funds to restore the
site to its former glory.
"This is a perfect,
tranquil environment
for all to enjoy," he said.
Cheryl Heath photo
Friends of Ball's Bridge supporters walk the bridge to mark its
grand reopening on Saturday.
that "make the heart of a communi- for election he
ty." asked himself
He also paid kudos to the support- "how special is
ers who rallied to save it. this bridge?,"
"It's a special county and after some
and we have to keep it research, learned
that way," said it was in fact a
Shewfelt. unique bridge.
Central Huron Reeve "I came to real -
Bert Dykstra congrat- i z e this was a
ulated the Friends of very worthwhile
Ball's Bridge for their project," he said.
"huge effort" in saving He also praised
the site. the project's sup -
"If it wasn't for their porters, "You
work and their dedica- have achieved
tion, I'm sure council the seemingly
Bridge would've decided on unachievable."
different outlooks for Ribbon -cutting
this bridge," he said. ceremonies held
"Heritage is such an important part at the east and
of our life. It sets communities west ends of the
apart." bridge were fol -
Barry Millian, a councillor repre- lowed by a lunch
senting ACW reeve Ben Van held by Friends'
Diepenbeek, acknowledged the members.
issue was one that at first had him
on the fence.
Millian said while campaigning
'This bridge
will be here for
years to
come,'—
Darryl Ball,
descendant of the
family who inspired
Ball's
"I am very proud to carry the Ball
name."
Huron -Bruce MPP Carol Mitchell
said she is pleased the province was
able to help with the project.
"This bridge is a very important
part of our history," she said, adding
thanks to the lower -tier municipali-
ties for partnering on the project.
"Ball's Bridge, to me, was always
significant," she said, noting it is a
photogenic place that encompasses
all that is rural.
County Warden Deb Shewfelt also
praised the site.
"I do believe that it was the right
thing to do," said Shewfelt of the
county's decision' to offer up
$250,000 to save the structure.
Shewfelt said it is historic accou-
trements, like the Ball's Bridge,
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