South Bruce Peninsula Council has given its support to the Wiarton Cenotaph refurbishment project.
Council agreed to fund part of the project through the Working Capital Reserve Fund. They are also planning to use a grant through the Commemorative Partnership Program.
The Wiarton Legion is also raising money for a new mural by the cenotaph. The existing mural is worn and coming off its wall.
Legion president Joe Vanderzand tells Bayshore Broadcasting News the legion is looking to raise between $20,000 to $25,000 for the legion portion of the project. Military artist Silvia Pecota has been selected to do the work.
Councillor Caleb Hull said during the March 21st regular meeting, “I also want to encourage us to continue evaluating how we can support the cenotaph a little bit more.” Referring to Remembrance Day, Hull says, “I know it would be great if the Town would provide maybe a trailer full of seating so that people can sit down if they want to because I have noticed that year after year, people do get tired.” Hull says he would also like to see improvements to the sound system, adding, “Going forward I think that we can really improve our engagement and longevity during that service if we have those incorporated.”
Staff say the design for the monument property is ‘essentially complete’ and they’ll be able to share that design at an upcoming meeting.
Veteran’s Affairs Canada says on its website the stone to make the statue was sent from England, and features a First World War soldier, “at rest, paying his respects to his fallen brothers.” It was erected after the First World War and later additions were added to the memorial.
Meanwhile, plans for the mural, which will be funded by donations collected by the legion, include representing Indigenous people who served including the neighbouring Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation who have made significant contributions to Canada’s military. Plans for the mural also include representing those who have served in recent conflicts like the War in Afghanistan as well as other conflicts throughout our history.
Vanderzand says the legion and the Town plan to meet soon to talk about the proposed project.
There is still more money for the legion to raise, and Vanderzand says there will be upcoming opportunities to donate. You can keep up to date with events on by following the Legion Branch 208 Facebook page. Vanderzand says, so far they have raised about $10,000.