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A proposed veterans memorial at the corner of 11th Street and Victoria Avenue is shown in this architectural drawing. One of the project volunteers, Chuck LaRocque, says to date, $43,000 has been raised to pay for construction of the memorial, which is estimated to cost $90,000.
Community fundraising efforts for a veterans memorial at the corner of 11th Street and Victoria Avenue are underway, but more cash is needed to make the project a reality, said Chuck LaRocque, one of the volunteers working on the project.
LaRocque said those wanting to donate should contact Brandon City Hall directly, and that tax receipts are available.
"The plan is, if people want to donate in memory of someone, we will record the donor’s name, the veteran’s name, perhaps their service number, their rank, and that information will go up on a plaque at city hall," LaRocque said. "There was a question about whether it would go on the memorial, but you really want to keep that simple. At least that’s my view. We have agreement from city hall that we will find a spot for it where we can list all the donors and donations we are getting."
LaRocque said donations can be for any veteran who has served in the Canadian Forces, whether they are from Brandon, Westman or elsewhere.
The fundraising efforts have reached $43,000, thanks in part to a $25,000 donation from the Poppy Fund and a $6,000 donation from the Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 3.
LaRocque said they will need $50,000 to carry forward with the project, and approximately $90,000 in total to complete it. The construction costs have dropped because of in-kind services provided by the City of Brandon.
"They are tying it in with the new police station and there may be some synergies there in terms of electrical and stuff like that," LaRocque said.
There are possible revenue or grant sources through the federal Department of Veterans Affairs, which has a Community Memorial Fund intended for veterans memorials that expires in 2015.
"They will pay for half of the defined costs within certain defined criteria," LaRocque said. "This project is perfectly keeping in with what they would like to contribute to. I think our chances of getting money through Veterans Affairs is very good."
» kborkowsky@brandonsun.com
Republished from the Brandon Sun print edition February 17, 2012
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Community fundraising efforts for a veterans memorial at the corner of 11th Street and Victoria Avenue are underway, but more cash is needed to make the project a reality, said Chuck LaRocque, one of the volunteers working on the project.
LaRocque said those wanting to donate should contact Brandon City Hall directly, and that tax receipts are available.
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Community fundraising efforts for a veterans memorial at the corner of 11th Street and Victoria Avenue are underway, but more cash is needed to make the project a reality, said Chuck LaRocque, one of the volunteers working on the project.
LaRocque said those wanting to donate should contact Brandon City Hall directly, and that tax receipts are available.
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