Winamac’s Memorial Swinging Bridge Project has gotten another round of donations. Project organizers say Mill Creek Gardens recently donated $2,000 toward the decorative lighting feature, while Sue Haselby donated $1,000 in memory of her husband Brian (Fred) Haselby and his parents, Sam and Babe Haselby. The Monterey American Legion post recently chipped in $1,000, according to project organizer Greg Henry.
He told the Winamac Town Council last week that the group is still offering an opportunity to name a light for someone for a $50 donation. “It’s kind of a two-part thing,” Henry said. “The bridge itself belongs to the veterans of the county, and the lights are for everybody. So if you’ve got an aunt or an uncle or whatever, somebody having a birthday or anniversary and you want to buy them a light. That’s what it’s all about. So the lights are for the people, and the bridge is for the veterans.”
The goal is to install decorative lighting on the Town Park’s historic bridge in time for its centennial on July 4, 2023, when a large rededication ceremony is planned. The feature is expected to cost almost $275,000.
Meanwhile, the town plans to fund some rehabilitation work. Bids are currently being sought for painting, along with the possible replacement of the bridge deck, asphalt work, and concrete repair. Bids are due to the town by June 18.
