Money raised for cenotaph nearing goal, but not quite there yet

After more than 100 years and counting, it’s time to raise the remaining funds needed to complete the renovations of the cenotaph.

Last week, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 124 president Al Howse met with Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa to hand over donations they have collected to make repairs to one of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s most recognized and beloved historical features.

The cenotaph is dedicated to community members lost in the war, and was unveiled on June 24, 1922, by Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, the Honourable Henry Cockshutt. Located in the centre of Old Town, the cenotaph was initially used to signal the time to residents during the 1920s and 1930s.

Internally, the cenotaph is showing its age and is in urgent need of restoration. So far, $60,000 has been raised towards the goal of $81,000.

“We want to thank all the individuals and businesses in our locality for all the generous donations that they have made,” said Howse. “We’re very close to our target and the town is ready to start the work.”

The Cenotaph Committee, a partnership between the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake and Branch 124, is appealing to the community to rally and assist in closing the gap and raising the remaining funds needed to complete the restoration work before the winter.

When the town committee was formed, Willowbank School of Restoration Arts was asked to take a look at the cenotaph, and came up with a 40-page report on what needed to be done and recommendations for how to proceed with its restoration, with work mostly related to water damage. It also stressed the need for regular, ongoing maintenance.

The committee is also working toward establishing a permanent fund for continuing maintenance “so that we don’t have to keep scrambling every time we need to do upkeep or maintenance or any kind of restoration,” said Howse.

Donating is easy and all donations of $25 or above will be issued a tax receipt by the Town.

Donations can be made via cash, cheque or debit at the Town Administration Offices at 1593 Four Mile Creek Road, Virgil, or the Canadian Legion Branch 124 at 410 King Street, Niagara-on-the-Lake. All cheques should be payable to the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake and marked ‘Cenotaph Restoration’.