Re: Letter: Destruction of this monument was completely unnecessary
As a member of the Cremona Skatepark Association, I would like to address some of the concerns regarding the removal of the centennial monument next to the skatepark in Cremona.
Over the years, the park has seen many transformations. When the monument was erected it was an empty space. Since then, it has continued to grow with the village into something that people and children of all ages enjoy.
The decision to remove the monument was not an easy one, and it was not done quietly. There were public meetings held regarding the landscaping and use of the land. Attempts were made to engage the community in these decisions, unfortunately there was no attendance to those meetings.
All efforts were made to design the landscaping around the current park that would include the monument as it stood.
After countless designs, revisions, new designs, and more revisions, it became evident that in order to have a surrounding to the park that served the users, parents and spectators in the safest and most functional manner within the limited space available, the monument would need to be moved.
The attempt was made to move the monument in its entirety and relocate it within the park, but that too proved impossible due to the design of the foundation.
With no other practical options regarding designs in the space available to us and no concerns raised by the community regarding the monument during the years of advertising the location of the skatepark and subsequent construction of it, the decision was reluctantly made to remove the monument as it stood to allow for the growth of the park.
We sincerely apologize to anyone that has been upset by its removal. Rest assured that it was not done carelessly, and plans were made to make sure its memory has a place in and is able to grow with our evolving park with the respect it deserves.
Cremona Mayor Tim Hagen kept the plaque and had it restored to its original beauty, and the landscaping was designed for it to be relocated at a future date within the park so as to continue to honour our history and the centennial of the Confederation of our country.
Sarah Martineau,
Cremona
