The Wakefield Covered Bridge - A labour of love

Rebuilding a historic covered bridge.

“Three years after the Gendron covered bridge, built on this site in 1915, had been destroyed by fire (1984), a committee of local volunteers established the Wakefield Covered Bridge Project (1987). Their goal was a new bridge, faithful in structure to the original one, but restricted in use to pedestrians and cyclists.

An estimated $600,000 was needed to rebuild the bridge. Community fund raising, promotions, and events were held, and by 1994, there were enough financial resources to begin the rebuilding process. Fundraising continued, and by 1998, when the bridge was officially opened, it was debt-free. More than 1,000 donors and volunteer workers contributed to reconstructing this landmark.

All of the structural wood in the walls, roof and floor of the bridge is Douglas fir, milled by the Project from boom logs formerly used in the log drive on the Gatineau River - only the exterior siding is pine.

The bridge measures 87.8 metres (288 feet) in length, by 5.5 metres (18 feet) in width, the walls are 4.9 meters (16 feet) high. The height above river is 4.9 meters (16 feet).”

Today, the bridge can be rented by members of the public on a daily basis for such diverse activities as wedding ceremonies, yoga sessions, or even small plays.