Original Centre Street Bridge Lion Project

Rotary Park Original Centre Street Bridge Lion

The Centre Street Bridge lions are a vital example of Calgary's artistic and engineering history. Conserving an original Centre Street Bridge lion is a way for us to remember and celebrate our history, while preserving a valuable piece of art from Calgary's past. This piece of art will be enjoyed by Calgarians for generations, in a way that is accessible for everyone.

Background

The original Centre Street Bridge lions, created by James Thomson, were fashioned in the likeness of the bronze lions at the base of the Nelson monument in London's Trafalgar Square. Over the years, the lions grew to be well-known symbols of Calgary's strength, integrity and independent character.

Conservation

The lion from the northeast side of the Centre Street Bridge was taken in for repairs and conservation. The preserved lion is now displayed in Rotary Park, on the bluff overlooking Centre Street Bridge. From this location, Calgarians can view the original preserved lion in the park and the recast replacement lions on the bridge.

Arrested decay conservation approach

The original lion sculpture from the Centre Street bridge has been conserved to remain in a state of "arrested decay". This means the lion is displayed to show its age and history through preserving the visual indicators of wear such as cracks and weathering from exposure to the elements.

New Location

Rotary Park, the home of one of the original Centre Street Bridge lions, offers Calgarians a chance to experience this century-old sculpture in a fresh, accessible setting. Its placement highlights the connection between Calgary’s past, present and future, as the preserved lion now overlooks the recast versions on the bridge below. Visiting Rotary Park allows you to appreciate a significant piece of the city’s history — while also seeing where it once stood and what now stands in its place.

Engagement

In 2013 Council asked that the original Centre Street Bridge lions be part of the West LRT public art process. After public consultation, the community engagement on this idea, there was a lack of strong public support for incorporating the lions into the West LRT and Rotary Park was chosen as the new location.

Project consultants and contractors

  • Conservation and Heritage - (Illyas Pagonis, CSI Conservation Solutions ULC., Wiss Janney Elstner Associates Inc., Taigh Architecture Inc.)
  • Design – Scatliff + Miller + Murray
  • Construction – Hurst Construction Management Inc.

Budget

The budget came from both the West LRT public art budget, and the Public Art Reserve which funds the maintenance and preservation of Calgary's Public Art Collection.

The budget was $500,000, which includes costs for conservation, design, construction and transportation

Northeast lion moved for conservation work

Arrested decay conservation

Timeline Summary

  • 1916 - Centre Street Bridge built.
  • 1917 - Original four concrete lions installed on bridge.
  • 1970s/80s - Lions undergo major repairs.
  • 1992 - Centre Street Bridge with lions designated a municipal historic resource.
  • 1993 - Lions added to Public Art Collection.
  • 1999 - Centre Street Bridge closed for major renovations, condition of lions assessed as deteriorating.
  • 2000 - Council directs the repair, preservation and public display of the southwest lion and that it be used to make four new lions.
  • 2000 - New lions recast from an original and reinstalled on bridge.
  • 2003 - Original lion that was used as a mold, placed outside Municipal Building.
  • 2013 - Council directs remaining original lions be incorporated into West LRT public art.
  • 2014 - Community engagement shows lack of strong public support for using lions in West LRT public art, new direction is taken.
  • 2018 - One original lion to be repaired, conserved and displayed in Rotary Park. Remaining two lions are in storage to protect and preserve them for foreseeable future.
  • Completed summer 2018
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