Sometimes a little restriction can bring greater freedom. That鈥檚 the case with the protective railings on the Ogden Point breakwater. The Greater Victoria Harbour Authority sparked a spirited debate last fall when it announced that it would spend $500,000 to install handrails on both sides of the 760-metre concrete and granite structure.
The plan was praised and panned; some liked the idea of increased safety, others said the rails would detract from the feeling of space and freedom. Some said the shiny aluminum handrails would look gaudy on a heritage structure.
One of those who originally didn鈥檛 like the plan was Ron Stark, a senior citizen born in Victoria and raised on St. James Street a few blocks away from the breakwater. He spent his growing-up years finding adventure in Beacon Hill Park, along the shoreline and, of course, on the breakwater.
He was offended by the handrails proposal.
鈥淭hey were messing with my playground,鈥� he said.
Last week, he strolled along the breakwater, checking out the rails and watching people enjoying the fresh sea breeze and the views of Washington鈥檚 Olympic Mountains across the strait.
鈥淚 didn鈥檛 think I would like it,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 take it back now.鈥�
Stark said he was converted when he saw the breakwater being enjoyed by elderly people, persons with disabilities and families with young children.
Completed in 1916, the breakwater鈥檚 construction involved more than a million tonnes of rock, as well as 10,000 granite blocks quarried on Hardy Island on the Sunshine Coast and shipped by barge to Victoria. Its purpose was to shelter the harbour from waves and winds, but it also allowed people to feel the rawness of the ocean environment, an exhilarating experience Victorians and visitors have relished for generations. Yes, that feeling will surely be missed.
But to someone prone to vertigo, perhaps a bit shaky on their feet, the breakwater could be an intimidating place. Wheelchair access was lacking, and the openness of the structure, with sheer drops on either side, gave families with young children pause for second thought.
While a little of the openness has been sacrificed, much more has been gained. The post-and-cable railings provide a sense of security that allows people of all abilities and ages to freely experience one of Victoria鈥檚 iconic structures. Children can scamper along the breakwater without risking parental heart attacks. Seniors can lean on the rails to catch a break while enjoying the sweeping views. Photographers composing their shots can take a step back without fear of plummeting over the edge onto the granite blocks below.
The breakwater is not exactly elegant architecture, but it has a bold presence because of its size, and it is an important part of the region鈥檚 heritage. The handrails don鈥檛 make a substantial change to its profile.
Sometimes, heritage conservation seeks to preserve a moment in time, but which time do you choose? Some structures, such as Craigdarroch Castle, undergo different phases. Do you choose to preserve one era over another?
That鈥檚 not much of a dilemma with the breakwater. It鈥檚 both an artifact and a functioning structure. It represents the past while serving the present.
And it鈥檚 not hard to imagine that some time in the future, those handrails themselves will be regarded as artifacts representing the moment when the breakwater became more widely accessible.
Some historical sites need to be protected, and so it is necessary to view them from arm鈥檚 length. The breakwater is a historical treasure that is not only viewed, but enjoyed. It鈥檚 history we can touch and feel.
And now, thanks to the handrails, people who have never dared to venture to the end of the breakwater will have a chance to do just that.
