Wiarton’s refurbished cenotaph and new mural will be officially unveiled Saturday.
Berford Street will be closed between Division Street and George Street in the morning for a parade and rededication ceremony set for 10:30 a.m.
Wiarton Legion Vice President and Poppy chair Joe Vanderzand says the event has been four years in the making.
He says in a release, “Discovering the failure of a retaining wall, a monument coming apart, and having dealt with the collapse of raised flower beds years prior, it was time to address these issues. In the process it was also revealed that the existing mural had reached the end of its life.”
Vanderzand says $22,000 for the work was contributed by Veterans Affairs Canada, $60,000 came from the Town of South Bruce Peninsula and $23,000 was donated by the community through fundraising events.
The hardscape and monument repair was done by Solomon King and the replacement mural is by Sylvia Pecota Studio.
Pecota was tasked with incorporating world conflicts from 1812 to present day Afghanistan, while also reflecting an indigenous component.
Wiarton’s neighbours, the Neyaashiinigmiing community had the highest enlistment of eligible soldiers in Canada at over 90 per cent in WWI and WWII.
Vanderzand says they did their research to “Accurately reflect the contributions made by all veterans that either paid the ultimate sacrifice or returned home with the inner atrocities they endured, as well to the indigenous veterans who have not received proper recognition for their contributions.”
Sneak peak at the mural by Sylvia Pecota Studio