The mayor of St. Martins said she was disappointed this week to learn of graffiti on the village’s new covered bridge.
“I just can’t fathom the fact that someone would do that,” Mayor Beth Ann Chatterton said. “You know, everyone in the village and the surrounding area is so proud of it.”
The $5.5 million Vaughan Creek Covered Bridge was demolished just days before its grand opening on Thursday.
The graffiti was spray-painted in three different locations along the pedestrian walkway inside the bridge.
“Whoever vandalized it, I feel sorry for them because I can’t imagine what would ever make them think that would be a good thing,” she said.
In 2021, the original Vaughan Creek Covered Bridge was removed due to deterioration. It was built in 1935.
Similar to the first bridge
Chatterton said the new wooden bridge is modeled after its predecessor in the Bay of Fundy Village, but has two lanes instead of one.
“It was a pretty big thing and to be able to replace it with what we have today, which is modern and at the same time a replica of what we had before,” she said.
Dunbar Construction Ltd was tasked with bringing the project to life. Chatterton said construction is mostly complete and the company is now working on removing a temporary bridge.
Chatterton said Dunbar will also remove the graffiti before Thursday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Vandalism to a covered bridge was reported to RCMP on Tuesday. (Roger Kosman/CBC)
New Brunswick Tourism Minister Tammy Scott-Wallace echoed Chatterton’s grief over the vandalism.
“It really made my heart sink,” she said. “I think it would be an understatement to say I was disappointed.”
Scott-Wallace said a new covered bridge for St Martins was the biggest dream and it was disheartening that someone wanted to take it away.
“It’s detrimental to the spirit of the community,” she said. “We were all looking forward to its opening. It’s harmful when physical damage is done to infrastructure in this way … and it also damages the spirit of the community.”
Scott-Wallace said it was the first all-wooden bridge built in the province in more than 75 years. While the graffiti may have put a bit of a damper on the grand opening, Scott-Wallace said Thursday will still be a joyous celebration.
Mayor Beth Ann Chatterton said construction is mostly complete. (Roger Kosman/CBC)
The RCMP investigation is ongoing
RCMP Cpl. Tyson Nelson of the Hampton Squad said police received a complaint about the graffiti Tuesday morning.
He said those responsible have not been identified at this time, but the investigation is ongoing.
“There are cameras there, but it has not been established whether the offense was filmed or not,” he said.
Nelson said vandals can be charged with mischief, which comes with a minimum fine of $2,500.
He said the RCMP wants to help prevent future vandalism on the covered bridge.
“We are in contact with the village of St. Martins and we are working to help them put some procedures in place to avoid this in the future,” he said.
The official opening of the Vaughan Creek Covered Bridge will take place at 1pm on Thursday at the Lighthouse Visitor Information Centre.
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