Sudbury Bridge of Nations flags: it's pricey to be patriotic

The Bridge of Nations Committee in Sudbury wants to remind people they can still contribute money for the bridge's flags.

The 82 flags were first hung in 2007 and are changed every three months. Replacing them comes at a cost of about $100 a year for each flag.

The original plan was to have private groups pay for the flags, but it's challenging to keep track of who represents each one, said Chris Gore, who is with the city's leisure services department.

"It's very hard to keep in touch with all of those people. To send out letters to ask for money and then follow up and keep following up is very time consuming."

Instead, the city has taken to footing the bill for the flags, which costs up to $9,000 annually.

Bridge of Nations Committee member Ursula Sauve said the elements take their toll on the flags.

"Once they have a tail the wind just rips them. We have even tried to reinforce the seam, but even with that, they do rip, she said.

"It's not just the flags that cost money, but it's also the upkeep. The locks corrode and, I think as time goes on,and the poles become older, then that may become a part of it."

The flags are scheduled to be replaced on Friday. Its upkeep that Sauve said she thinks is worth the cost.

People are very patriotic, she said. They are very attached to their flags."