29 June 2007
Victoria Bridge in Cambridge, commonly referred to as the High Level Bridge, will be attaining a significant milestone at the end of this year.
For 100 years the bridge has welcomed residents and visitors into the heart of Cambridge, playing a significant role in the history of the town. It’s distinctive structure has a NZ Historic Places Trust category II rating.
A major civic function is being planned to mark the centenary, with the Governor General, His Excellency The Honourable Anand Satyanand, having accepted an invitation to officiate at the celebration, on the afternoon of December 15, 2007. This will replicate the original ceremony which was officiated by the then-Governor General of New Zealand, Lord Plunket, on 21 December 1907.
The centenary celebrations were initiated by a Cambridge 2007 Festival Committee who are promoting a number of anniversaries of Cambridge features.
Waipa District Council has taken up the responsibility of the bridge anniversary with a working group led by Mayor Alan Livingston, and comprising of Deputy Mayor Peter Lee, councillor Barbara Taranaki, Cambridge Community Board chair Rob Feisst, Eris Parker, who also represents the Festival Committee, Council Engineering Manager John Kerr, and asset engineer Paul Strange. The working group is developing a programme for the civic ceremony, which the public are invited to attend.
While celebrating the occasion, suggestions are also being considered as to how it could be permanently acknowledged.
Options could include lighting up the impressive substructure, and arches at either end of the bridge. Cost and engineering implications are currently being investigated, and at the same time, the bridge and approaches will be given a spruce up as appropriate for such an occasion.