Committee discusses Weddell Bridge outreach, Rotary interest and possible renaming

Committee members reported outreach to Mill City and a recent presentation to the Rotary Club that generated interest in the Weddell Bridge repair campaign and possible sponsorship.

Members said Wally Shreeves provided a historical background on the Weddell name and described Rotary members’ interest in sponsoring the bridge. One committee member summarized the discussion: donors had asked whether a donation would warrant a name change, and the group said they would “look into it” rather than commit to any renaming.

Committee guidance on naming and approval

The committee agreed that it can make recommendations but that any official renaming would require City Council approval. “We make recommendations that goes to the city council for approval,” a committee member said during the meeting.

Fundraising and next steps

Members said an engineer will be engaged to determine load capacity and needed repairs; those engineering results will inform campaign cost estimates. Rotary volunteers expressed interest in helping to develop a fundraising campaign, and the committee said it will visit Mill City to learn from their community-led approach to similar projects before launching a campaign.

Context and history

Committee members said the bridge became known locally by the Weddell family name after they purchased the farm adjacent to the bridge in the late 19th century; members emphasized the family did not build the bridge. The group noted that changing a structure’s name could be expensive if major donor naming rights were considered and that such a decision would be presented to council with a committee recommendation.

Ending

The committee plans a site visit to Mill City, will seek engineering information about structural loads, and will return to the committee with a recommended outreach and fundraising plan for council consideration.