Former Hope mayor recalls ceremonial drive over freshly opened Coquihalla Highway
Gardner says about 2,000 people attended the opening speeches, and officials later drove convertibles through a vinyl barrier to mark the new route.
- On May 16, 1986, Bud Gardner joined then-premier Bill Bennett and his wife Audrey in the lead car through a vinyl barrier at Nicolum Creek Bridge to mark the Coquihala Highway opening.
- Residents and business owners initially feared the new Interior route would bypass Hope and damage tourism. Through ongoing negotiations with the province, municipal officials secured direct access to the community.
- Around 2,000 people gathered at Memorial Park for opening speeches and breakfast, Gardner estimated. The official "red ribbon" was a large vinyl barrier bearing the Coquihala Highway logo.
- Gardner said the community experienced a "bit of a downturn" for six months as travelers headed to Vancouver for Expo. The situation reversed within months, resulting in a "steady increase" of visitors.
- Business in Hope continued to pick up over the years, including new fast-food restaurants, and has remained stable. Gardner said the highway has been "a good highlight" for the region.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Former Hope mayor recalls ceremonial drive over freshly opened Coquihalla Highway - Creston Valley Advance
Former Hope mayor Bud Gardner has a special memory of the opening of the Coquihalla Highway: he was in the car with then-premier Bill Bennett as it burst through the vinyl barrier at the Nicolum Creek Bridge to celebrate the occasion. Gardner recalls that the day – Friday, May 16, 1986 – was filled with fanfare and excitement. It began with a ceremony in Hope’s Memorial Park, where breakfast was served to anyone who dropped by. Gardner, who was …
Former Hope mayor recalls ceremonial drive over freshly opened Coquihalla Highway - Fort St. James Caledonia Courier
Former Hope mayor Bud Gardner has a special memory of the opening of the Coquihalla Highway: he was in the car with then-premier Bill Bennett as it burst through the vinyl barrier at the Nicolum Creek Bridge to celebrate the occasion. Gardner recalls that the day – Friday, May 16, 1986 – was filled with fanfare and excitement. It began with a ceremony in Hope’s Memorial Park, where breakfast was served to anyone who dropped by. Gardner, who was …
Former Hope mayor recalls ceremonial drive over freshly opened Coquihalla Highway - Grand Forks Gazette
Former Hope mayor Bud Gardner has a special memory of the opening of the Coquihalla Highway: he was in the car with then-premier Bill Bennett as it burst through the vinyl barrier at the Nicolum Creek Bridge to celebrate the occasion. Gardner recalls that the day – Friday, May 16, 1986 – was filled with fanfare and excitement. It began with a ceremony in Hope’s Memorial Park, where breakfast was served to anyone who dropped by. Gardner, who was …
Former Hope mayor recalls ceremonial drive over freshly opened Coquihalla Highway - Vanderhoof Omineca Express
Former Hope mayor Bud Gardner has a special memory of the opening of the Coquihalla Highway: he was in the car with then-premier Bill Bennett as it burst through the vinyl barrier at the Nicolum Creek Bridge to celebrate the occasion. Gardner recalls that the day – Friday, May 16, 1986 – was filled with fanfare and excitement. It began with a ceremony in Hope’s Memorial Park, where breakfast was served to anyone who dropped by. Gardner, who was …
Former Hope mayor recalls ceremonial drive over freshly opened Coquihalla Highway - Northern Sentinel
Former Hope mayor Bud Gardner has a special memory of the opening of the Coquihalla Highway: he was in the car with then-premier Bill Bennett as it burst through the vinyl barrier at the Nicolum Creek Bridge to celebrate the occasion. Gardner recalls that the day – Friday, May 16, 1986 – was filled with fanfare and excitement. It began with a ceremony in Hope’s Memorial Park, where breakfast was served to anyone who dropped by. Gardner, who was …
Terrace Standard
Former Hope mayor recalls ceremonial drive over freshly opened Coquihalla Highway
Former Hope mayor Bud Gardner has a special memory of the opening of the Coquihalla Highway: he was in the car with then-premier Bill Bennett as it burst through the vinyl barrier at the Nicolum Creek Bridge to celebrate the occasion. Gardner recalls that the day – Friday, May 16, 1986 – was filled with fanfare and excitement. It began with a ceremony in Hope’s Memorial Park, where breakfast was served to anyone who dropped by. Gardner, who was …
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