Fears 183-year-old Lake Erie lighthouse could topple as high winds approach
It sits basking in the sun on a quiet winter day.
The Port Burwell Lighthouse has guided sailors through storms and tourists through its door for almost two centuries.
But suddenly, it is feared the 65-foot or 20-metre tall lighthouse, the oldest wooden one on Lake Erie, could topple.
“The lighthouse is in a position where it could overturn in a significant wind event,” confirms Thomas Thayer, the administrator of the Municipality of Bayham.
With the lighthouse at the centre of the municipal logo, word of its condition has set off alarm bells.
Council has closed the road in front of the lighthouse and secured the structure's base with fencing.
The Port Burwell Lighthouse is seen fenced off for safety on Wednesday, February 8, 2023. (Sean Irvine/CTV The actions protect people, but the lighthouse remains at risk until shore up.
And with high winds and rain coming Thursday, there is a concern.
“This is what we're worried about,” states Bayham Mayor Ed Ketchabaw.
If the lighthouse survives the coming storm, work to shore it up will begin.
The $84,000 cost is covered by a reserve fund.
Ketchabaw predicts at least $500,000 will be needed to restore the lighthouse, if not more.
And with another tourist attraction, the HMCS Ojibwa nearly sinking Bayham’s finances half a decade ago, it will be a challenge.
The Mayor of the Municipality of Bayham Ed Ketchabaw in Port Burwell, Ont. on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023. (Sean Irvine/CTV News London)“I doubt if we can get this repaired in 2023, but maybe 2024, 2025 — if we can find sufficient senior-level government support to get us there,” said Ketchabaw.
Port Burwell resident Laurie Martyn has her fingers crossed that money will be found.
After all, unlike the submarine project, she says residents have an unquestionable fondness for the lighthouse.
“It’s more a claim of fame than the sub,” Martyn said. “The people do not like the sub, but they want to keep the lighthouse. It’ll get fixed. I’m quite positive of it.”
A report to the council on the next steps is not expected until March.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.