Connie Tabbert
Editor
WESTMEATH — The re-dedication of the newly constructed gazebo at Westmeath Lookout occurred Wednesday morning with members of the Wright family attending.
The re-dedication occurred because the original gazebo had deteriorated to such a state, it had to be removed and a new one erected. This occurred late last fall and this summer.
The gazebo and Lookout Park are a tourist point courtesy of Jack (JC) Wright, who was a former reeve of Westmeath Township. It was a dream of his to have this type of gazebo for the tourists to gaze as far as they could see from such a high advantage point.
Unfortunately, Mr. Wright passed away before this was accomplished, so it was his wife Hilda who purchased the acre of land and with the help of her children, John and Basil, the gazebo was constructed.
Prior to the destruction of the previous gazebo, chief building official Doug Schultz had the measurements of the gazebo taken so it could be rebuilt. There were a few changes made, such as the crawl space underneath was not replaced and benches were added to the inside.
Mr. Schultz noted at the re-dedication that it was all local contractors who helped build the gazebo and prepare the land, such as Roger Regier who did the concrete work, Keith McLaren did the construction of the building, Norm Leblanc did the landscaping; Whitewater Welding did the steel work and benches and Lumax Home Hardware supplied the material. The roads department did a lot of the prep work, he noted.
It took longer to construct than anticipated, but that was due to the windy conditions. During high winds, the workmen were not able to work due to the unsafe conditions, he explained.
Deputy-Mayor Izett McBride, who emceed the event in the absence of Mayor Jim Labow, said he was honoured to do the duty.
“I have only positive memories of my father’s close friendship with JC Wright,” he said. “Mr. Wright was a former reeve of Westmeath Township who had a knack for bringing people togather. After his untimely death, his family decided to move on a project Jack talked about – that of making the highest point in the township a mini tourist lookout.”
Mr. Wright was admired by the people of the township for his vision, warmth and integrity, which also made him a great municipal politician, Deputy-Mayor McBride said.
It was noted that information contained in the pamphlet handed out at the re-dedication ceremony were put together by John Wright, who was a son of JC Wright.
The Wright descendants attending the ceremony included John and his wife Heather; Beulah Wright who was married to John’s brother Basil, now deceased; and her children Judy Tessier and Calvin Wright and Calvin’s son Donovan. Absent was Beulah’s grandson Cameron (son of Calvin) and adult child Chris.’ al
Beulah Wright said the taxpayers of the municipality should be thanked, because they were the ones who provided the funds for this project, along with the other responsibilities they have.
“I’m also glad council decided this was a worthwhile project and that the rather scarce resources should be allocated towards the project,” she said.
“It is a memorial, but I think the purpose of it was to have a park and tourist attraction and I hope people continue to use it that way,” Beulah Wright said.
JC Wright’s granddaughter Judy Tessier and great-grandson Donovan Wright cut the red ribbon officially opening the gazebo as those gathered sang For They’re a Jolly Good Family.
