Brock's monument will remain closed until May next year and under the scaffolding, since Parks Canada presents a restoration project of $ 1.1 million for the 166-year-old war monument.
This is the first major restoration of the monument since 2009, which has repded mortar, replaced stone and installed new roofs.
Parks Canada now has access to all the funds that it comes from the federal government.
“All necessary resources are already available,” said the spokesman for Parks Canada, Julia Grcevic.
Until the project ends in spring, the scaffolding will surround the Niagara-on-Lake monument and block the view of the tower.
Grcevic, however, said that she did not have the schedule in which the current status of the restoration is described in detail, which should begin this month – from Monday, Brock's monument became outrageous.
A routine 2022–23 engineering overview showed that the 166-year-old tower needed urgent repairs. “Parks Canada developed a nature conservation plan and a design work,” said Grcevic.
It then worked with a consultant engineer to revise the plan and to expand the project before Federal financing was announced on September 8th.
Fort George's friends, who operates programs in the monument, described the investment as “very exciting” and explained that the website would be preserved for the more than 20,000 visitors who welcomed it every year.
“We waited a little,” said Amanda Gamble, managing director.
“Some of the mortar had started to fall, so it's huge for us.”
Gamble said the restoration would make sure that the students have commissioned every season to welcome visitors to lead the small museum and lead tours, “can continue to do what we do so far”.
Niagara Parks is not involved in the project, but “verbal, it would be about anything about anything,” said Bob Gale, chairman of the Niagara Parks Commission.
“You keep us up to date on how we do it.”
Gale said the restoration was great for the community and he loves places where they “see children come to learn history”.
“It is such an important part of the Queenston-Niagara-on-Lake area and all of Canada,” he added.
The monument is the heart of a corridor of historical sites, from Mackenzie printer to the house of Laura Secord and McFarland. “It is American to keep those in great form,” said Gale.
“I am glad that Park Canada does this with Brock's monument,” he added. “We get our game a little.”
The project could prompt the commission to expand hours in the Queenston Heights Restaurant, which was closed during pandemic, but sometimes organizes brunch, weddings and special events. “This will cause us to improve our wish,” he said.
The Mayor Gary Zalepa praised Fort George's friends for his role in sharing the history of the website and welcoming visitors.
He said the financing was “fantastic” and will help keep the website for the coming years.
“I remember great memories as a young person – come up the stairs and come in, to hear the stories,” said Zalepa. “And you know to see my children.”
“This is simply an important thing to tell this story for the next generation,” he said.
Gamble said that the Queenston limestone monument and is not built according to today's standards, the restoration is “a big process”.
However, the “great” at Parks Canada, which takes over the project, added that it must be done properly in order to maintain this historical integrity. “
Parks Canada has carried out great rehabilitation every 12 years since 1971, with all stones being replaced by a hidden date so that future workers know their age.
The location has been routinely examined since the restoration of $ 2.2 million in 2009-10.
According to Grcevic, cultural sites are irreplaceable connections to the people and events that influence history.
“While this hinders the view of the monument itself, this work will ensure the long-term preservation of this iconic symbol of the Canadian heritage and the recognizable landmark on the Niagara Escarpment,” she said.
The monument was closed in August, but Queenston Heights Park remains open to visitors throughout the restoration project.
paigeburn@niagaranow.com