It took just minutes for Sylvan Lake’s lighthouse to fall crashing to the ground after being nudged by a track hoe last Thursday morning.
A hole was created to weaken the south side of the structure then it was pushed over by the track hoe, into the empty marina area.
The tumbling structure was captured on video and posted to You Tube by Ashley Maki. At press time it had received over 1,000 views. (To watch it connect to You Tube and search for Sylvan Lake Lighthouse.)
Demolition of the structure was undertaken as work continues to deepen the marina as part of the site’s redevelopment.
Loads of dirt are now being removed from the site prior to stronger, more stable retaining walls being installed.
At the same time, a committee of Rotary members and town representatives have begun planning for the possible construction of a new lighthouse since the demolished structure, over its 25 year history, became a symbol of Sylvan Lake. It’s been photographed, painted and incorporated in logos.
Due to the overwhelming interest in the iconic image, the Rotary Club of Sylvan Lake is hosting a public community meeting to gather ideas about erecting another lighthouse somewhere in town.
Everyone’s invited to bring their ideas to a meeting Thursday, Nov. 8 at 7:30 p.m. at the Sylvan Lake branch of the Royal Canadian Legion. Location, design, functionality and fundraising will all be topics for discussion.
“When the opportunity arose for Sylvan Lake Rotary to get involved, the membership was very excited to pitch in to recreate a structure that will hopefully pay tribute to the original lighthouse and recreate the symbol that has become synonymous with Sylvan Lake,” said Trevor Sigfusson, chair of the committee.
“We hope to have service groups and citizens of Sylvan Lake get behind this project. We want Sylvan Lake people to see this project as something they created and that they can be very proud of for many years to come,” he added. “I think this lighthouse could be a structure that we can still be proud of when we celebrate our next centennial.”
Quick to jump on the fundraising bandwagon was Rotary president Cynthia Giguere. Through her business, the Stone House Spa, she’s offering VIP passports. For a $20 donation toward rebuilding of a new lighthouse, the VIP passports provide over $1,500 in spa savings. She may be contacted at 403-887-2413 or drop by the Stone House Spa to get your passport.
Sigfusson noted, “there will be a lot of hard work required to raise money for construction of a new lighthouse so it’s important that local enthusiasm be generated to make this project a reality.”