Test of Metal participants and organizers can breathe a sigh of relief thanks to a massive community effort that completed an essential connector bridge for the Test this Saturday (June 19) in the knick of time and well under budget.
The Carpenter Son's Bridge, which crosses over Ring Creek, is the main trail link between Valleycliffe and the Garibaldi Highlands. Volunteers originally built the bridge 14 years ago as a rush project for the Test of Metal, which draws 800 participants to Squamish every year.
During a presentation to council on the bridge replacement in April, District of Squamish trails co-ordinator Todd Pope and parks and recreation director Bob Kusch said the bridge needed to be repaired before the big races hit the trail this summer.
Pope and Kusch were unsure of costs, but anticipated it might be somewhere between $60,000 and $100,000. Council decided the district would provide 75 per cent or $70,000, whichever was less. They were adamant that community groups step up and the bridge not solely be paid for by council.
Community members have stepped up and paid for more than their mandated 25 per cent of the bridge construction cost.
The most recent total (although some last-minute costs hadn't been factored in yet) was $50,000 with approximately $30,000 in donations, mostly thanks to local contractors.
"That's way under what we were prepared to pay," said Coun. Doug Race at council's Committee of the Whole meeting Tuesday (June 15).
"I think our staff, Todd and the volunteers have actually been able to get out there and save a lot of money. A lot of volunteer labour has contributed to keeping the cost down."
Despite getting the go-ahead in April, actual bridge construction took some time to get started, adding pressure to make sure it was completed in time for the Test of Metal when construction did begin.
Pope and two local contractors have taken on management of the bridge construction.
S2S Industries Ltd. owner Pete Auld is responsible for all the bridge steelwork and has been working 12-hour days, seven days a week since June 1.
This two-man company was hired by the district and they, like most companies working on the project, are giving 25 per cent of their wages back to the district.
"I'm donating my 25 per cent on behalf of the Squamish Dirtbike Association," said Auld. "I'm an avid dirt biker and we use this trail all the time."
He said on Monday (June 14) he assumed they would be done by Thursday (June 17).
"It's been a great project to work on, particularly because it's a lot of small companies coming together," said Auld. "And Todd Pope has been hugely instrumental."
Auld will end up donating approximately $5000 of his own payment.
Chris McCrum from CMCC Contracting is responsible for the woodwork portion of the bridge and is also donating 25 per cent of his payment on behalf of Squamish Off-Road Cycling Association (SORCA).
As a SORCA board member for five years and their current trails director and an avid mountain biker, McCrum was one of the concerned trail users who approached Pope when the bridge started to slope off to one side.
"I'd been looking at the old bridge for some years and wondering when it would be time to replace it," said McCrum.
There were also funds from Land Luggers Contracting, Connections Call Centre and Black Tusk Cranes and BC Parks and Rona donated some supplies.
The project was also awarded a $7,000 grant through the Municipal Insurance Agency because the bridge was considered a liability.
McCrum said it was more than worth it because "it's good for everyone and benefits the community.
"Tons of people use it mothers with strollers, hikers, runners, dirt bikers, even equestrians. It's a great project."
