Lack of Funding Stalls Lighthouse Repair
By Sue Clark on May 31, 2009 in News 
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Nottawasaga Lighthouse In Holding Pattern
One of the six Imperial Towers along Georgian Bay on Lake Huron will be waiting a bit longer for repairs, thanks to the economy. Although Canada is one of the least affected countries by this persistent recession, it still doesn’t have the $4.5 million to give to the Department of Oceans and Fisheries for the repairs to this beleaguered beacon. Member of Parliament Helena Guergis has been lobbying for the funding as well. A letter from her detailing her efforts was part of the agenda package for the town of Collingwood (Ont) Council, who heard an update on the lighthouse last week.
The work was supposed to start in 2008, but in a story in the Enterprise Bulletin, Jim Kilgour, head of the Lighthouse Restoration Committee, said these last few years of unstable and short-term federal governments have killed off the funding for the project. He stated that the DFO hasn’t been stalling the project. Kilgour also said it looks as if the 2005 temporary stabilization had been remarkably successful at containing the deterioration. He said when he last visited the island in August of 2008, he found only one stone of about 15 pounds that had fallen off.
Lightning and the Lighthouse
The problem with the lighthouse’s deterioration was it never had a lightning rod. It’s been struck multiple times over the years, each time causing more damage. As cracks from aging have developed in the sides of the tower, moisture works its way into the core. When lightning strikes, the moisture is superheated, creating steam that pushes out and widens any gaps that have developed on the outside. In December of 2004, a large chunk of the northeast outer wall crashed to the ground. More on the story and some excellent pictures taken by the Coast Guard are on Russ Rowlett’s site.
The Coast Guard made it off limits to its personnel in 2003, citing the danger of going inside the structure for the crews. Thus its doom was guaranteed without anyone allowed in to do even the minimum of maintenance. In fact, the Coast Guard at that time determined that when it fell down, it would be permanently discontinued. In 2005, the town of Colingwood and Jim Kilgour successfully sought money from the DOF for stabilization. At this point, the lighthouse was properly grounded, and a system of wires now carries the ongoing lightning strikes safely into the ground.
Work on Nottawasaga Lighthouse in 2005
The light was also patched up and the tower stabilized. Fortunately, it’s worked so far, but how much longer can it be until the water intrusion problems take their toll on this iconic beacon?
Photo Credit:
- 1916 postcard of Nottawasaga Lighthouse from the Smithsonian Institution collection
- Nottawasaga Lighthouse from the city of Collingwood
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2 Comment(s)
By Andrea on Oct 12, 2010 | Reply
This is Too bad. Just because of lack of funds, they will just leave that lighthouse alone? What is the government doing?
By 2010 Dance Song on May 16, 2011 | Reply
Nice post, interesting.