No, the cenotaph hasn’t been vandalized,
it’s getting a bit of a facelift for
liability reasons.
Many residents Tuesday noticed a
fence surrounding the monument dedicated
to fallen soldiers of the First World
War, Second World War and Korean
War.
The flagstone steps were noticeably
smashed almost into powder.
Cathy Cowan, the village’s CAO told
the Review the steps needed to be reconstructed
because of insurance reasons.
“We’re putting in proper steps so
people don’t trip and fall,” she said.
During a recent municipal insurance
review the four stairs on the cenotaph
were found to have different rises,
which can make it difficult for people to
manoeuvre.
Cowan said municipal staff will
repair the stairs and a concrete will be
used. The concrete will be coloured so
it will match the original portion of the
cenotaph.
The estimated cost is between $1,500
and $2,000.
Cowan said the Keremeos Branch of
the Royal Canadian Legion is contributing
to the cost and local contractor Early
Bird is donating some of the materials.
The Keremeos Cenotaph was constructed
between 1948 and 1953 out of
flagstone. In 1967 it was moved to its
present location in Memorial Park.
A plaque including the names of
Keremeos residents who lost their lives
while fighting the First World War and
the Second World War.