Bridge footings in place

Work continues as crews attempt to get everything in place before freeze up, on the Suzanne Kernaghan Bridge. The bridge spans Colborne Creek and is part of the walkway joining the Rotary Centennial Park with the Keeler Centre. The bridge will be a lasting memorial to the well-liked Cramahe Township resident who died January 13, 2009 in a motor vehicle accident.


On September 12 Coborne Rotary announced it was making the bridge a 60th anniversary project and donated $10,000.

The bridge and walk have become a community project led by long-time Colborne booster Don Clark and contractor, John Kernaghan, brother of Suzanne.

Volunteers have been working on the parkland for some time now. Don and his son, Brandon, have been at it for over three years, clearing out brush along the section of Colborne Creek and felling dead trees. Workers have cleared a 6-8 foot path from Colborne Creek subdivision to Rotary Centennial Park. Wood chips are being laid to provide a base for the final path which will be about 43 inches wide.

Donations of gravel from John Kernaghan and Brice Cotter have been received and Roger Doidge, Suzanne's husband, is supplying the concrete.

Brandon Clark, Al Chapman, Mike Kernaghan and Andy Coe have put in sweat equity to help move the project along.

Rotary became involved when the club was approached by Don Clark with the plans. Rotary President, Betty Brisco, says it was a great way for Rotary to give back to the community and celebrate its milestone birthday.

Don sees it as a lifelong project which started as an effort to clean up the creek. With the path in place it is much easier to access the creek and keep it maintained.

The path is designed for non-motorized use. It will primarily be used by walkers.

All donations are welcomed.