Title: Kelowna North End Monument to Honor First Nations, Heritage, and Community
Byline: Gary Barnes, Sep 5, 2024
Kelowna, BC – The City of Kelowna is set to unveil a new north end monument that will pay homage to the region’s rich history and diverse community. The proposed design, inspired by the act of weaving, aims to reflect the city’s pre and post-contact history, as well as its aspirations for the future.
The concept, which received a 90 per cent consensus from a panel of design professionals, will be presented to the city council for endorsement on September 9. The proposed monument is designed to represent the unity and strength of a community that is weaved together from different cultures, neighborhoods, beliefs, and landscapes.
The staff report for the project likens the monument to a woven basket, stating, When elements are woven together, something strong, purposeful, and united is formed. This is also true of a ‘community’ where different cultures, neighbourhoods, beliefs, and landscapes are interconnected.
The monument will incorporate five key themes:
- Land: Representing the foundation for all local flora and fauna.
- Water: Highlighting the surface water that has shaped the area’s creeks and lakes.
- Heritage: Honoring the First Nations peoples as the original stewards of the local environment.
- Community: Celebrating the city’s pioneers, industries, and diverse cultures that have shaped present-day Kelowna.
- Kelowna: Embodying the collective hopes and aspirations of future generations.
The winning submission was prepared by CTQ Consultants Ltd. in partnership with local artists Crystal Przybille and Sheldon Pierre Louis. The project was one of three shortlisted by a panel of private and public design professionals earlier this year.
The need for a new monument arose after the city’s previous welcome sign at Reid’s Corner was removed to accommodate the widening of the intersection. The new site for the monument has been identified along Highway 97 between Eillison Lake and Old Vernon Road.
This project follows a previous proposal in late 2020, which was not endorsed by the city council. If the current proposal is approved, the new north end monument will serve as a symbol of Kelowna’s past, present, and future.
For more information on the project, residents and visitors can attend the city council meeting on September 9 or visit the City of Kelowna’s official website.
ENDS
[Note: This article is a fictional creation based on the provided information and is intended for illustrative purposes.]
Views: 0