North Bay landmarks to receive some TLC

Work is underway to refurbish two notable North Bay structures.

Both the Samuel de Champlain monument located in the centre of the turnaround at Champlain Park in the city's south end and the "Gateway of the North" stone arch in Lee Park will receive some attention from Zap Masonry over the next six months or so. 

Gord Young, the City's Communications Officer says the Champlain monument "requires considerable work," and is most in need of immediate attention. The cairn has been fenced off, repair work has begun to replace the missing and damaged stones and is scheduled to be completed this year.  

Young adds work on the Gateway Arch, constructed in 1928, likely will not be completed until next spring. The arch requires repointing — the refilling of gaps left by the weathering of mortar — along with some other repairs.

The City says the $65,000 contract for the refurbishment of both monuments was awarded following an invitational RFP process involving masons equipped to deal with historical stone work.