The Menesetung Bridge Association will need to look elsewhere to secure the funding needed to complete repairs on the iconic crossing, after Huron County Council denied its request.
The pedestrian bridge that spans the Maitland River is currently undergoing repairs that will total $960,000.
While the association has secured the funds needed to finish crucial repairs to the top of the bridge's piers, it's still short in covering the cost of repairs on the base of the piers.
In a presentation to council this week, Treasuer Mike Dawson reiterated that the association would save on construction costs if all the work could be done this summer while the bridge is closed until September. It would also prevent another lengthy closure to the bridge next year.
Dawson told council that they've exhausted their major contributors when it comes to fundraising.
"Despite the incredible amount of community support, we're still about $180,000 short," he said. "A lot of our regular contributors, many of them already made substantial donations. All the trail groups... the Trans Canada Trail has come on board this past year and they contributed $60,000. We've done extremely well, but we still have a ways to go."
He noted that the contractors Strat Con are flexible and recognize that funding could take some time to come in, but they will need to raise the money soon.
A majority of council couldn't get on board with the idea, because there is currently a community grant moratorium in place.
Dawson tried to convey that the moratorium shouldn't apply in this case.
"Our argument was that were not really a community group that would meet that definition... the corporation of the Menesetung Bridge Association was formed mainly to hold title in the public interest," he said. "Really over the last 30 years, it's been a really small board that manages it... all we can do is advocate for the bridge, we don't have any funding ourselves."
After the presentation, Central Huron Mayor Jim Ginn put forward a motion for staff to work with the association on a loan to cover the shortfall to allow it to finish repairs this year.
Some balked at the suggestion immediately, but Goderich Mayor Trevor Bazinet noted the motion was just to enter into discussions.
"I find it hard to defeat a motion that says what it says, when we don't even know what the amount is," he said. "And if we're basing our decision off moratoriums, I also question why we continue to have groups come and ask us for money if we're going to continue to say no because of the moratorium? Maybe that's something that needs to be made clear to everyone going forward as well."
South Huron Mayor George Finch said it wasn't council's place to be issuing loans, no matter what the cause.
"We're County Council, we're not the Bank of Canada or any other bank," said Finch. "We do not provide loans for private entities. It's a slippery slope, I can imagine the taxpayers will be quite offended if they find out we're giving out interest free loans with their tax dollars, so we cannot support this motion."
Ginn's motion was defeated in a 6-9 vote, and no other motions of support to the association were raised.
Dawson said the result was disappointing, but also rare in their years of fundraising.
"They made it clear that they're not going to be involved," he said. "So again, we're so appreciative of the community. You know I've asked many people to participate, all our levels of trail partners and community service clubs, and actually, everyone else has agreed to participate. So this is the first time we've had a no answer from any of our asks."
Those that want to contribute to the repairs can learn more by going to the Menesetung Bridge Association website.