Centre Wellington council voted in favour of welcoming conversation and feedback on a local bridge.

The bridge, bordering Centre Wellington and Woolwich township, was barricaded in 2021. That spring, it was closed off to all pedestrian and vehicular traffic.

Coun. Lisa MacDonald gave notice of the motion: the motion aims to consult with the Township of Woolwich and the Save Middlebrook Bridge Community Group. The common goal is to investigate shared funding of a new pedestrian and cyclist bridge.

Mayor Shawn Watters agreed it could be very beneficial to welcome these conversations, stating the results could be "fruitful" for council.

MacDonald says the heritage value is there for the structure, and that said value might enhance the process.

"Some other information that came to light is that Woolwich's heritage group; they are exploring selling the bridge to heritage trust fund," MacDonald explained.

"There might be options that way to provide funds. I'm not clear on the exact details but I know there's a few moving pieces that have happened. I just want to leave that door open," she added.

Coun. Jennifer Adams was happy to the original motion had been modified in terms of funding, and reiterated she's aware of the hefty cost bridge repairs come along with.

MacDonald stated this is a great chance for partnership.

"This is an opportunity for two municipalities to work together," MacDonald said.

"Currently, in my ward, ward one, this will be the sixth bridge that we're looking at and in Woolwich they have one that abuts against this ward. So, I look at this as an opportunity to work with Save Middlebrook Bridge community. However long it takes, that's what we're looking for," she concluded.

Watters stated this motion was the perfect way to give the opportunity for feedback.

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