The new Lion’s Head Lighthouse has been lifted into place after a storm demolished the old one this past January.
The community donated $16,000 for the lighthouse and rebuilt it themselves offsite, then lifted it into its new place Monday September 22nd.
“It was overwhelming, how much the community rallied around it,” Communications Manager Ryan Deska says of the resourcefulness and dedication of the community. Noting while the lighthouse is a municipal asset, the day it fell down, people started calling the Town office and sending donations, without the municipality ever asking for money.
Deska says, “On the fundraising side, the community really rallied, on the building side, the community really rallied.” He notes, “The municipality covered things like engineering and the crane rental and removal of the old foundation, but the structure itself has been built by the community.”
“From my perspective,” says Deska, “It was more important to let this be a community initiative. The people up here are incredibly resourceful and they love the lighthouse and I think It’s more meaningful this way.”
A team of community volunteers have been rebuilding the lighthouse in sections, in the workshop of local builder Doug Hill. Brian Swanton, the high school shop teacher who helped build the previous structure, has also been organizing construction efforts, working with a multi-generational contingent of the Swanton family.
Sections of the Lighthouse were lifted into place by crane and secured to the foundation by the volunteer building team.
Now trim, siding, and other finishing touches are being worked on.
In the meantime, if people are stopping by to see the work that’s being done, they’re asked to wear a mask, and the Municipality notes gatherings of more than 100 people are strictly prohibited.
In a statement, Mayor Milt McIver says “It’s an exciting day for many people in the community who have long-awaited the return of the lighthouse,” adding, “We’re appreciative of everyone in the community that has stepped up to help, and all the hard work that has gone into this project.”
Deska says, for the Town’s part since then, although delayed by COVID 19 closures, the municipality has worked with a team of engineers to assess the integrity of the pier, and determine a location better suited to withstanding future storms.
In early summer, permission was granted by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to re-build on the pier and construction began.
While the lighthouse was gone, a navigation light was put up in its place because it is a functioning lighthouse.
