Editor:
There has been a lot of buzz in the media with regards to Island lighthouses, and the recently declared surplus.
Surplus lighthouses have become a burden, as technological advances have allowed for new and improved navigation systems, diminishing the lighthouses to nothing but an unnecessary expense. The fact that these historical beacons are being offered to anyone willing to pay the one dollar fee, is a little concerning.
This concerns me solely because the heritage of the buildings are in jeopardy once responsibility falls into the wrong hands. Many of the Island’s lighthouses have significant heritage value, dating back well over a century, and are also situated on prime coastal land.
In order to protect the heritage of these monuments, communities or not-for-profit organizations can come forward and apply for Heritage Lighthouse status, through the Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act (HLPA), fronted by Parks Canada. The goal of the HLPA is to protect the heritage value, as well as promoting new uses for the building.
As a member of a community heading a group interested in protecting the heritage of one of the Island's more prominent lighthouses, I encourage others to come forward and give back to the buildings which have protected and guided us for so long.
I am personally interested in preserving Blockhouse Point Lighthouse, along with the support of a strong community group. For those of you unfamiliar with the Blockhouse, have a look at the Island health card in your wallet. It sits nicely at the mouth of the Charlottetown Harbour, and has been guiding ships long before Confederation.
The Blockhouse is a community building, and should remain that way. There are several members of the community, including myself, who have a significant connection to the building, and hope to achieve heritage designation in order to protect it. However, during a recent meeting regarding community efforts to move forward on this, it was brought to my attention there is a private interest in the lighthouse working with the government behind closed doors.
This is a major concern to me, not because it is a private interest, but because this is being conducted outside of the public eye. The quiet dealings lead me to believe the buyer has no interest in protecting the heritage of the building, otherwise they would have come forward to offer ideas and solutions to other struggling communities interested in preserving their lighthouses.
Perhaps I’m out of line in assuming they have no interest in protection and preservation. However, with 14 acres of prime real estate included with the Blockhouse, I can’t help but assume our community will suffer a great loss.
I urge any other communities to make the effort and take action; these buildings have such great potential, without destroying their heritage. Be wary though, there may be a private interest with a personal agenda of their own.
For more information on the Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act : www.pc.gc.ca - Heritage Lighthouses of Canada
Natalie Carragher,
Cornwall
