How about some love for the capital? To kick this thread off, here's a story from the Citizen about a new statue in LeBreton flats, the redeveloping parcel of land that's to the west of downtown, right on the Ottawa river across from Hull, the terminus of the O-Train, and the site of the new Canadian War Museum.
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Friday » October 28 » 2005
LeBreton to get another monument -- this one to 800 fallen firefighters
$5M structure OK'd after firefighters foundation's 3-year campaign
Mohammed Adam
The Ottawa Citizen
Friday, October 28, 2005
The federal government has announced its backing for a national monument at LeBreton Flats in honour of the more than 800 Canadian firefighters who have died on the job.
The $5-million Canadian Firefighters Memorial will be erected south of Wellington Street, near the war museum, on one of two sites the National Capital Commission has set aside for national monuments. It will take at least three years to build.
The announcement by Canadian Heritage Minister Liza Frulla caps a three-year campaign by the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation to seek national recognition for the sacrifices of firefighters across the country. "By supporting this project of national scope, the government of Canada recognizes the extraordinary contribution of firefighters who make tremendous sacrifices to protect and save the lives of their fellow citizens," Ms. Frulla said.
William Brooks, president of the firefighters foundation, said he is delighted to get government recognition, but the foundation now has to turn its attention to raising money for the monument. And he hopes that down the road, federal and provincial governments will help with funding to get the project off the ground.
"The government has put itself behind it, and that is positive. But they have not committed any funds to it. But we think ultimately, they will contribute," said Mr. Brooks.
The choice of LeBreton Flats for the memorial is particularly significant because the Great Fire of Ottawa in 1900, which started across the Ottawa River in Hull, devastated the Flats. By the time the fire burned itself out, an estimated seven people had been killed and 8,000 in Ottawa and 6,000 in Hull were left homeless. One of the heroes of the day was a lone firefighter, with a single hose, who stood on a roof, beating down the fire as flames raged behind him.
Neither Ottawa fire Chief Rick Larabie nor the firefighters' union leaders could be reached for comment on the honour to them and their fallen comrades.
Lamenting the dearth of landmarks in the capital celebrating Canada's social, cultural and intellectual achievements, the NCC has identified about 90 sites for new commemorations. And LeBreton Flats, sitting on the Ottawa River in the shadow of Parliament and just across from Confederation Boulevard, has emerged as the prime location for two national gateway monuments.
A second site at Booth and Wellington streets is earmarked for a grand, four-storey national monument for which the commission is currently seeking proposals. Suggestions for the site have ranged from a monument to the lumber industry, pioneer women and legendary lumberjack Joseph Montferrand.
Commission spokeswoman Kath-ryn Keyes said yesterday that one proponent has expressed an interest in the site, but no formal proposal has been made. However, Ms. Keyes said discussions with the firefighters foundation are well advanced and the site will be reserved for three years to allow the foundation to raise the money for the project.
Under the plan, the foundation has to raise $2.5 million, about half the cost of the landmark, to demonstrate its commitment and ability to go ahead with the project.
Mr. Brooks says fundraising for the project has begun in earnest, and already pledges of $1.5 million from small businesses, out of which the foundation will get a "generous" 20 per cent, have been received.
He said the foundation is getting only 20 per cent because such a campaign entails a lot of expenses -- everything from staff wages and printing brochures, to manufacturing pins and giving plaques to donors -- by the firm organizing it.
Mr. Brooks wouldn't name the company handling the fundraising effort, but said the response so far has shown that many Canadian individuals and companies would be happy to contribute to such a memorial and the foundation is now turning its attention to large corporate donors.
If the foundation can show that it is capable of raising significant amounts on its own, Mr. Brooks believes federal and provincial governments would join in. "The Ontario government gave $500,000 for a monument for Ontario firefighters, and we imagine they and many provinces will contribute," he said.
Mr. Brooks said the exact design of the memorial is unknown, although several artists' concepts have been proposed. The foundation says its goal is to create a "structure so excellent and full of respect" that visitors will "see it as a work of art."
Mr. Brooks said the next step in the process is to organize a $250,000 competition in the next six months from which a final design would be chosen. One concept that will certainly be included in the final design is an electronic book of remembrance that will allow visitors to review the names of firefighters who have died in the line of duty.
The foundation welcomes ideas for the memorial.
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Friday » October 28 » 2005
LeBreton to get another monument -- this one to 800 fallen firefighters
$5M structure OK'd after firefighters foundation's 3-year campaign
Mohammed Adam
The Ottawa Citizen
Friday, October 28, 2005
The federal government has announced its backing for a national monument at LeBreton Flats in honour of the more than 800 Canadian firefighters who have died on the job.
The $5-million Canadian Firefighters Memorial will be erected south of Wellington Street, near the war museum, on one of two sites the National Capital Commission has set aside for national monuments. It will take at least three years to build.
The announcement by Canadian Heritage Minister Liza Frulla caps a three-year campaign by the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation to seek national recognition for the sacrifices of firefighters across the country. "By supporting this project of national scope, the government of Canada recognizes the extraordinary contribution of firefighters who make tremendous sacrifices to protect and save the lives of their fellow citizens," Ms. Frulla said.
William Brooks, president of the firefighters foundation, said he is delighted to get government recognition, but the foundation now has to turn its attention to raising money for the monument. And he hopes that down the road, federal and provincial governments will help with funding to get the project off the ground.
"The government has put itself behind it, and that is positive. But they have not committed any funds to it. But we think ultimately, they will contribute," said Mr. Brooks.
The choice of LeBreton Flats for the memorial is particularly significant because the Great Fire of Ottawa in 1900, which started across the Ottawa River in Hull, devastated the Flats. By the time the fire burned itself out, an estimated seven people had been killed and 8,000 in Ottawa and 6,000 in Hull were left homeless. One of the heroes of the day was a lone firefighter, with a single hose, who stood on a roof, beating down the fire as flames raged behind him.
Neither Ottawa fire Chief Rick Larabie nor the firefighters' union leaders could be reached for comment on the honour to them and their fallen comrades.
Lamenting the dearth of landmarks in the capital celebrating Canada's social, cultural and intellectual achievements, the NCC has identified about 90 sites for new commemorations. And LeBreton Flats, sitting on the Ottawa River in the shadow of Parliament and just across from Confederation Boulevard, has emerged as the prime location for two national gateway monuments.
A second site at Booth and Wellington streets is earmarked for a grand, four-storey national monument for which the commission is currently seeking proposals. Suggestions for the site have ranged from a monument to the lumber industry, pioneer women and legendary lumberjack Joseph Montferrand.
Commission spokeswoman Kath-ryn Keyes said yesterday that one proponent has expressed an interest in the site, but no formal proposal has been made. However, Ms. Keyes said discussions with the firefighters foundation are well advanced and the site will be reserved for three years to allow the foundation to raise the money for the project.
Under the plan, the foundation has to raise $2.5 million, about half the cost of the landmark, to demonstrate its commitment and ability to go ahead with the project.
Mr. Brooks says fundraising for the project has begun in earnest, and already pledges of $1.5 million from small businesses, out of which the foundation will get a "generous" 20 per cent, have been received.
He said the foundation is getting only 20 per cent because such a campaign entails a lot of expenses -- everything from staff wages and printing brochures, to manufacturing pins and giving plaques to donors -- by the firm organizing it.
Mr. Brooks wouldn't name the company handling the fundraising effort, but said the response so far has shown that many Canadian individuals and companies would be happy to contribute to such a memorial and the foundation is now turning its attention to large corporate donors.
If the foundation can show that it is capable of raising significant amounts on its own, Mr. Brooks believes federal and provincial governments would join in. "The Ontario government gave $500,000 for a monument for Ontario firefighters, and we imagine they and many provinces will contribute," he said.
Mr. Brooks said the exact design of the memorial is unknown, although several artists' concepts have been proposed. The foundation says its goal is to create a "structure so excellent and full of respect" that visitors will "see it as a work of art."
Mr. Brooks said the next step in the process is to organize a $250,000 competition in the next six months from which a final design would be chosen. One concept that will certainly be included in the final design is an electronic book of remembrance that will allow visitors to review the names of firefighters who have died in the line of duty.
The foundation welcomes ideas for the memorial.