Elvis `n Diana to build bridges

[johnfoyle]

see
http://canada.com/national/story.asp?id ... B7B9B74DEE

Tuesday » September 9 » 2003

'Trestlestock' concert proposed

David Wylie

Sterling News Service


Tuesday, September 09, 2003



KELOWNA -- The Okanagan could be main stage for a benefit concert comparable to Toronto's SARSstock concert headlined by the Rolling Stones, Heritage Minister Sheila Copps said yesterday.

Copps pitched the concert proposal after announcing Ottawa would "do everything in our power" to help rebuild 12 wooden trestles along the historic Kettle Valley Railway which were destroyed by the Okanagan Mountain fire.

"We have some fairly strong headliners for a benefit concert," said Copps, who was big on hype but short on details.

She said interested artists -- two live in Vancouver -- called her office and pitched the concert as a means to raise money to rebuild the burned trestles.

"One drives a sexy car," she hinted.

Jazz diva Diana Krall of Nanaimo and her beau, British pop icon Elvis Costello, are also reportedly on side.

Four of the original 18 wooden bridges (Nos. 1, 12, 16 and 17) in Myra Canyon remained intact yesterday. The wildfire continued to burn.

Once a key link in the railway network, the out-of-service trestles became part of the Okanagan chunk of the TransCanada Trail.

"Thank God yesterday the rains came, and we're hoping that this will be the turning point in the summer and spring from Hell," said Copps. "This fire has spared no building, no home, no landscape, no park."

She pledged the cash needed for an assessment, but wouldn't comment on the amount of money the federal government would chip in for the rebuilding. Replacement costs could total about $30 million.

She said a successful concert and strong fundraising efforts could bring in enough money to rebuild the "well-loved landmark."

Kelowna's Mayor Walter Gray said he wasn't in any position to name names, but speculated there would be international Canadian talent headlining the event.

"I've been on the inside. I know it's been discussed," he said. "It could be British Columbia's answer to the SARS concert."

He said the city is planning its own event -- a "community group hug" -- to celebrate the volunteers and heroes who helped fight the Okanagan Mountain fire. The tentative date is Oct. 13, Thanksgiving.

Ken Alexander, past-president of the Myra Canyon Trestle Restoration Society, said the bridges could take two or three years to rebuild.

"Besides having a broken heart right now, the positive thing is it's pretty clear we're going to rebuild," he said. "We'd like to think that we can replicate them as close as we can."

The Kettle Valley Railway nets about $5 million a year from tourists.


© Copyright 2003 The Province

[bobster]

So, what happens when an icon marries a diva? If they have a child, will it be a dicon?

Just wondering.