This year marks the 50th anniversary of the collapse of the bridge that used to connect Port Robinson East and West.
To commemorate the milestone, the local community wants to organize a big event.
Nancy Waters, who is one of the founding members of community activist group Port Robinson Proud, shed more light on the proposal at a recent meeting of the Thorold Community Events Advisory Committee.
“It would comprise of a historical presentation at the community centre,” she told committee members. “We will have volunteer historians to talk about the bridge collapse and how the community changed once the artery was no longer there.”
On August 25, 1974, a Steelton freighter going down the Welland Canal hit the Port Robinson bridge, shredding it into pieces.
The main artery connecting the east and west side of Port Robinson was gone, replaced a few years later by a small pontoon ferry boat, now known as Bridge-It.
Port Robinson wants to commemorate the event on Saturday, August 24, 2024, with an educational event, followed by a street dance at Bridge 12 Pub that evening.
“We are seeking the city’s support for this historical event which will be run by volunteers,” Waters said. “The entire community would be involved, invited and welcomed. We are anticipating this will draw hundreds of people, including media and dignitaries.”
Committee members seemed enthusiastic about the proposal.
“I live in Port Robinson,” said Thorold's Manager of Community Services, Dave Baldoni. “I think it will be a great event. I’d love to see it. I hope council supports this. I don’t know how the St. Lawrence Seaway feels about opening that can [of worms] again though.”
But Waters does not think the Seaway will take issue.
“I don’t see why the Seaway would really care,” she said. “It’s simply a reminder that for 50 years the community has been severed and we’ve managed to stay united. That is a celebration in itself.”
And with that, committee members unanimously voted to forward the proposal to Thorold City Council.
