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June 2000 West Vancouver Historical Society Page 7 NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE STATUS FOR LIONS GATE BRIDGE? By: Peter Hall Long-time Society member, Peter Hall, has researched and presented an excellent application for National Historic Site Status to the Government of Canada in connection with our much loved and, sometimes, much maligned. Lions Gate Bridge. The article below covers the reasons why this is being done now, while the Bridge is the centre of so much attention from so many quarters. We wish Peter every success with his application. The Historical Society has submitted an application to the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada to have the Lions Gate Bridge designated a National Historic Site. West Vancouver currently has two such Sites - Point Atkinson Lighthouse and the B.C. Binning house. The idea of seeking national recognition for the bridge came up at a meeting of the West Vancouver Heritage Advisory Commission and the Historical Society was asked if it would be willing to tackle the project. The Bridge has enjoyed local heritage recognition for some years, appearing in West Vancouver's 1998 heritage register. The prolonged studies and public debate about the future of the structure resulted in a growing awareness of its heritage values not only locally but around the world. The Lions Gate Bridge has become an international icon for Vancouver and indeed for British Columbia, particularly since Expo '86 put us on the international map. With the rehabilitation work currently underway and the prospect of another 60 years of useful life, it seemed timely to seek national recognition of the role it has played in the development of Canada. The Bridge was the longest suspension span in the British Empire when it was built in 1937/38. It employed leading edge technology in having each of the 61 strands per cable prefabricated in the factory, and then wrapped together to form the cable rather than the old method of having the cable wound from scratch on site, a breakthrough that was adopted elsewhere. National Historic Site designation does not provide protection against future changes. It is symbolic in nature, a way for Canada to say that this is something which is important to all Canadians. But before the application can be given consideration, the Bridge's owner must consent. We have written to the Provincial Government urging them to do so. View of the Lions Gate Bridge from Ambleside Photo: West Vancouver Archives Yes, we know you have probably seen this photograph before, but work on the bridge will be going on for some considerable time and changes in appearance may occur. So, in case they do, here is a look at the "old lady" as we have known her for so many years.