“I just can’t think of the fact that anyone would do that,” said Mayor Bette Ann Chatterton. “You know, everyone in the village and the surrounding area is so proud of it.” The $5.5 million Vaughan Creek Covered Bridge was vandalized just days before its grand opening Thursday. The graffiti was spray-painted in three different locations along the walkway inside the bridge. “Whoever vandalized it, I feel sorry for them because I can’t imagine what would make them think it would be a good thing,” he said. In 2021, the original Vaughan Creek Covered Bridge was removed due to wear and tear. It was built in 1935.
Like a 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 very big thing and to be able to replace it with what we have today, which is modern and yet it’s a copy of what we had before,” he said. Dunbar Construction Ltd. undertook to implement the project. Chatterton said that for the most part, construction is complete and the company is now working to remove a temporary bridge. Chatterton said Dunbar will also remove the graffiti before Thursday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony. Covered bridge vandalism was reported to RCMP on Tuesday. (Roger Cosman/CBC) New Brunswick Tourism Minister Tammy Scott-Wallace echoed Chatterton’s sadness at the vandalism. “It really made my heart sink,” she said. “I think to say I was disappointed would be an understatement.” Scott-Wallace said a new covered bridge for the St. Martins was the absolute dream and it’s disheartening to want someone to take it away. “It’s harmful to the spirit of the community,” he said. “We’ve all been anxiously awaiting its opening. It’s damaging when there’s physical damage to infrastructure like this… and it also damages the spirit of the community.” Scott-Wallace said this is the first all-wooden bridge to be 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 Bette Ann Chatterton said construction is mostly complete. (Roger Cosman/CBC)
The RCMP investigation is ongoing
RCMP Cpl. Tyson Nelson with the Hampton detachment said police received a complaint about the graffiti Tuesday morning. He said the people responsible have not been identified at this time, but the investigation is ongoing. “There are cameras there, but it has not been ascertained whether the offense was recorded or not,” he said. Nelson said the vandals could 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 are working to help them put some procedures in place to prevent this from happening 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.
title: “The Covered Bridge Of St. Martins Was Hit With Graffiti Days Before The Official Opening Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-07” author: “Joyce Yankee”
“I just can’t think of the fact that anyone would do that,” said Mayor Bette Ann Chatterton. “You know, everyone in the village and the surrounding area is so proud of it.” The $5.5 million Vaughan Creek Covered Bridge was vandalized just days before its grand opening Thursday. The graffiti was spray-painted in three different locations along the walkway inside the bridge. “Whoever vandalized it, I feel sorry for them because I can’t imagine what would make them think it would be a good thing,” he said. In 2021, the original Vaughan Creek Covered Bridge was removed due to wear and tear. It was built in 1935.
Like a 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 very big thing and to be able to replace it with what we have today, which is modern and yet it’s a copy of what we had before,” he said. Dunbar Construction Ltd. undertook to implement the project. Chatterton said that for the most part, construction is complete and the company is now working to remove a temporary bridge. Chatterton said Dunbar will also remove the graffiti before Thursday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony. Covered bridge vandalism was reported to RCMP on Tuesday. (Roger Cosman/CBC) New Brunswick Tourism Minister Tammy Scott-Wallace echoed Chatterton’s sadness at the vandalism. “It really made my heart sink,” she said. “I think to say I was disappointed would be an understatement.” Scott-Wallace said a new covered bridge for the St. Martins was the absolute dream and it’s disheartening to want someone to take it away. “It’s harmful to the spirit of the community,” he said. “We’ve all been anxiously awaiting its opening. It’s damaging when there’s physical damage to infrastructure like this… and it also damages the spirit of the community.” Scott-Wallace said this is the first all-wooden bridge to be 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 Bette Ann Chatterton said construction is mostly complete. (Roger Cosman/CBC)
The RCMP investigation is ongoing
RCMP Cpl. Tyson Nelson with the Hampton detachment said police received a complaint about the graffiti Tuesday morning. He said the people responsible have not been identified at this time, but the investigation is ongoing. “There are cameras there, but it has not been ascertained whether the offense was recorded or not,” he said. Nelson said the vandals could 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 are working to help them put some procedures in place to prevent this from happening 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.
