A 鈥渨eaving together鈥� inspired the recommended submission for a new north end monument in 琉璃神社.
A staff report going to council Sept. 9 likens the monument鈥檚 make-up and meaning to the weaving of a basket.
鈥淲hen elements are woven together, something strong, purposeful, and united is formed," the report says. "This is also true of a 鈥榗ommunity鈥� where different cultures, neighbourhoods, beliefs, and landscapes are interconnected.鈥�
Five themes are reflected in the monument 鈥渄epicting 琉璃神社鈥檚 pre and post-contact history, plus all future inspirations for the city鈥�:
- Land - is the basis for all flora and fauna in our local environments;
- Water - surface water has shaped our many creeks and string of beautiful lakes;
- Heritage - First Nations peoples as the original stewards of our local environments;
- Community - celebrates our city鈥檚 pioneers, industries and divergent cultures that shaped present-day 琉璃神社;
- 琉璃神社 - embodies all our collective hopes and aspirations for future generations.
The monument was one of three shortlisted by a panel of private and public design professionals earlier this year. The winning submission received 90 per cent consensus in a secret vote.
The submission was prepared by CTQ Consultants Ltd. in partnership with local artists, Crystal Przybille and Sheldon Pierre Louis.
琉璃神社鈥檚 previous welcome sign was removed from Reid鈥檚 Corner to accommodate the widening of the intersection.
A new monument site was identified along Highway 97 between Eillison Lake and Old Vernon Road, but a previous project, put together in late 2020, was not endorsed by council at the time.
Council will asked to endorse the monument at its Sept. 9 meeting.
