Walking bridge in Gabriel Dumont Park open again after fire

A walking bridge in Saskatoon’s Gabriel Dumont Park has reopened following a fire in April.

The wooden structure in the popular park was significantly damaged in the blaze on April 11. While the cause of the fire is unknown, the Saskatoon Fire Department said there appeared to be an encampment in the area.

“Upon investigation, the fire investigator concluded the cause of the fire to be undetermined,” the fire department said in a release. “Signs of an abandoned encampment were present in the immediate area.”

The well-used bridge was damaged in a fire on April 11. (Taylor MacPherson/650 CKOM)

Work soon began to replace about 7.5 metres of floorboards, railings and posts, and the bridge’s wooden centre stringer. But while the early estimates suggested the work would only take around two weeks, the project was delayed significantly because of an issue getting the requisite parts.

The city announced the bridge was open to foot traffic once again on Tuesday afternoon.