Legion monument move approved

The City of Yorkton has agreed to the installation of a Royal Canadian Legion monument on city property if the local Legion branch provides the funding.
“The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 77 Yorkton, is requesting permission to place a monument to recognize, honour and remember all Veterans, Legion members, former Ladies Auxiliary members, the City of Yorkton and all those that were involved in building the Royal Canadian Legion building at 380 Broadway in 1961. The building served as a place where veterans gathered for meetings and good comradeship for many, many years. Also it has served the citizens of this community for a variety of functions over the years until March 2017, when it was sold,” explained Legion representative Peter Wyatt at the regular meeting of Council Monday.
“Branch 77 is requesting that the monument and time capsule (which was originally placed at our old location in 1986, and set to be opened again in 2026 recognizing our 100th anniversary, be relocated on the boulevard on Darlington Street between 1st and 2nd (Avenue). Also we are requesting that a flagpole be erected at this same location. The estimated cost for this project is approximately $40,000 and applications for assistance have been sent out to Veterans Affairs Canada. We are waiting for their reply.”
Darcy McLeod, Director of Community Development, Parks & Recreation with the City, told Council they have been in discussion with the Legion for some months.
“In February 2017, representatives of the Royal Canadian Legion, General Alexander Ross Branch #77 approached City Administration to assist with relocation of the Legion building marker and time capsule from its original location at the front entrance of 380 Broadway Street West. The building had recently sold and the Legion wanted to preserve these vital items by relocating them, possibly onto City Property,” he said.
“A series of discussions took place regarding possible locations, which included: Western Financial Group City Centre Park; City Hall Park; the Veterans section of the City Cemetery, and near the Cenotaph on Darlington Street. The unanimous decision was that the best community location would be on the Darlington Street median west of the cenotaph. This is already a designated place of remembrance and is a highly visible location.”
McLeod said the location fits since the cenotaph already exists there.
“The cenotaph honours the Yorkton residents killed in action during WWI, WWII, and Korea wars. To keep consistent with the existing monuments and markers on Darlington Street, Legion members decided the building marker needed refurbishing and expansion to include acknowledgement and support of the contributions of veterans and their families after 1954 and into the future,” he said.
Following refurbishing, the expansion of the Legion marker would include a granite piece added to the top. The following information would be etched in this granite piece:
“In memory of all Veterans past and present auxiliary and all members of the Royal Canadian Legion Gn. Alexander Ross Branch #77, also the citizens of this area involved in building and maintaining this building at 380 Broadway Street West from 1961-2017. The building served the veterans, their families and the citizens of Yorkton and area as a place to gather for meetings, fellowship and special events. This cairn was built to identify the Legion in 1961 and was removed after the sale of the property in March 2017. With the cooperation of the City of Yorkton and Legion, it has been relocated here, to commemorate the importance of the Legion to all Veterans.
This monument is dedicated to honor the men and women who have paid ultimate price during the conflicts including: Bosnia, Afghanistan, NATO, United Nations Peace Keeping Missions, RCMP and other services that preserve our country’s freedom.”
“The Legion would also like to install a new flagpole next to the relocated monument and would assume responsibility for raising and lowering the flag for related Legion activities using Legion criteria,” added McLeod.
In terms of funding the City was not asked for dollars.
“The Legion is contributing $10,000 towards this project and has submitted an application to Veterans Affairs for additional funding. Because the Legion’s proposal would see the refurbished monument and flagpole on the Darlington Street median, which is city property, they are asking for the City’s permission to use this City property for this project,” said McLeod.
Council was unanimous in approving the monument location.