The stone statues on the Stanley Park entrance to the Lions Gate bridge have stood guard for the reason that span opened 85 years in the past.
They’ve been embellished for Christmas and have been adorned with face masks throughout COVID. Now the stone lions are sporting big blue and inexperienced Vancouver Canucks jerseys.
The day after the Canucks beat the Predators to take a one-game lead within the opening spherical of the playoffs, followers have been comfortable to see the statues sporting the staff colors.
“I prefer it as a result of they’re very solemn, they’ve been round on a regular basis, and now they’re taking part. I feel it’s charming,” mentioned one man, who peered on the statues from the Stanley Park causeway overpass.
Thriller surrounds the jerseys, which seem like custom-made and are hooked up with heavy wire.
One passerby theorized the Canucks advertising and marketing division was behind the jerseys, and one other steered they could possibly be the work of UBC engineers.
“They have been in all probability put up in the midst of the evening so no one can see them,” mentioned one other girl. “It’s a thriller, no one is aware of, I feel that’s the thrilling a part of all of it.”
It’s not the primary time the lions have been adorned with Canucks jerseys. After they appeared on the stone statues throughout the Stanley Cup closing run in 2011, a trio of thieves stole them. Police recovered and returned them days later.
“We’ve seen this up to now, whether or not it’s the Canucks or the Lions or different important social occasions, numerous landmarks across the metropolis typically dress up accordingly,” mentioned Vancouver Police Division spokesperson Sgt. Steve Addison, who hopes nobody takes them throughout this playoff run.
“It’s a part of the enjoyable fan-friendly expertise that type of makes this time of yr actually cool.”
The police don’t know who made the jerseys and put them on the statues, and neither does B.C.’s Ministry of Transportation, which oversees the Lions Gate bridge.
Whereas there’s some concern the jersey-clad statues could possibly be a distraction for drivers, the ministry mentioned in an emailed assertion it “acknowledges the thrill within the metropolis for Vancouver Canucks playoff hockey and can go away them in place in the interim.”
Followers hope the jerseys can keep so long as the Canucks are within the playoffs, and that they’re solely eliminated when the groups hoists the Stanley Cup.
