The Western Bay Lighthouse trail boardwalk, which was damaged by wildfires earlier this summer, is getting repaired these days as work started last week on the project. CONTRIBUTEDArticle contentIn the aftermath of the wildfires that ravaged much of Conception Bay’s north shore, Western Bay’s Charis Cotter was one of the lucky ones.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentWhile her home was threatened by the fire that struck Small Point-Broad Cove-Blackhead-Adam’s Cove in May and again during the Kingston fire, there was no damage.Article contentArticle contentHer neighbours weren’t as lucky.Article content“It’s been insane, the way some places burned, and some didn’t,” Cotter told The Telegram this week.Article contentArticle content“I’m just affected by driving through it and looking at all my neighbours, and because you just can’t help feeling when you drive by, like every single house is a bad story.”Article content Even a welcome sign in Kingston was damaged by the massive wildfire that struck the region. Photo by Keith Gosse/The TelegramArticle contentNow, she’s hoping to turn one of those bad stories into a good one as she and the Western Bay Lighthouse Trails group have started rebuilding a part of their boardwalk damaged by the fires.Article contentA couple of days ago, they started the work with renewed vigour.Article contentWith work starting on replacing parts of the boardwalk that were damaged by the fires, there has been a surge in community support for the project.Article contentNot only has there been an increase in donations from people — now in excess of $1,600 — but their last project day saw some 20 people come out to help the usual small group of volunteers.Article contentFor Cotter, who has lived in Western Bay for 18 years, it seems like the wildfires have brought an excess of community spirit to help rebuild what was lost.Article content“In a way, it’s made people more enthusiastic about the boardwalk, I think, because after something as terrible as the fire, you look around, and you just appreciate things a little more,” she said.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentArticle contentNot the first natural disaster to strike boardwalkArticle contentThe boardwalk in Western Bay isn’t a stranger to natural disasters and the damage that can come from them.Article contentWhen hurricane Igor struck the region in 2010, the entire boardwalk was lifted from its place and moved approximately 20 feet by the strong winds accompanying the storm.Article contentSo, this isn’t the first time there’s been a need to replace damaged pieces of the boardwalk.Article content“It was completely demolished in Igor, and they rebuilt it,” said Cotter.Article content“I think that was one of the reasons they never made it to the lighthouse, because there was the extra expense of rebuilding it right after it was built.”Article contentMaking changesArticle contentThe aftermath of the fires has given the group the chance to make some changes to the work they’re doing.
You just appreciate things a little more: Work starts on Western Bay boardwalk after it was damaged by wildfire
