Golden Spike Days organizers are not the only group in B.C. to be derailed by government cutbacks but it might be one of the more resilient in coming up with a solution.

Instead of spiking the annual summer festival after learning a $30,000 grant would not be forthcoming, organizers got creative and joined forces with another group celebrating around the same time.

Golden Spike is teaming up with the Port Moody Commemorative Society, which is working on a Canadian navy centennial celebration for July 3 to 5, 2010.

Now festival-goers will not only be treated to a weekend of Spike activities and entertainment on land but, if all goes as planned, they might also be able to celebrate at sea. Some of the ideas being floated include a visit by a navy ship, which would be a terrific draw for Port Moody during an Olympic year.

Nothing is set in stone but there could be a commemoration of the Battle of the Atlantic, which was a series of campaigns that involved a large Canadian navy contingent as well as the merchant marine and lasted most of the Second World War.

It’s interesting to note as Remembrance Day approaches that it was 60 years ago on Sept. 3 that the Battle of the Atlantic began with the sinking of the Montreal-bound passenger ship SS Athenia by a German submarine 118 people, including four Canadians, were killed.

According to Veterans Affairs, Canada’s role in the Battle of the Atlantic was significant and it ended the war with the third largest navy in the world. Approximately 2,000 members of the Royal Canadian Navy died during the war, and 24 RCN vessels were sunk. As well, as many as 1,600 merchant marines died at sea, including eight women, according to The Merchant Navy Book of Remembrance.

Judging by history, the Battle of the Atlantic is worthy of serious commemoration, as is the Canadian Navy, which is celebrating 100 years of service in 2010.

With its deep-water port and important role in Canadian confederation as the first western terminus of the Canadian Pacific Railway, Port Moody deserves to play a role in these historic commemorations.

Good luck to these two groups for working together on a joint summer event.