Cenotaph to be made an official part of Red Deer history

July 27, 2009

(Red Deer, Alberta) – For most Red Deerians, the Cenotaph on Ross Street is part of our community and our history, but now we’re making it official. The Heritage Preservation Society wants The City to honour this monument by designating it a Municipal Historic Resource.

“The Cenotaph means a great deal to the citizens of Red Deer,” said Mayor Morris Flewwelling. “Not only is it a representation of Alberta’s artistic culture, it is a tribute to the men and women of Central Alberta who have served in the wars.”

The Heritage Preservation Society will ask City Council to apply for the sculpture to be designated as a Municipal Historic Resource. City Council, under the Alberta Historical Resources Act, has the ability to designate any historic resource within the municipality whose preservation it considers to be in the public interest.

The Cenotaph, located on the 4900 block of Ross Street, has deep meaning for many in Red Deer, representing the brave soldiers who fought and died in the First World War, Second World War and the Korean Conflict. Designation ensures the site is preserved for the enjoyment of future generations and allows The City to apply for funding from the province for maintenance of the site.

“There are some repairs and cleaning needed to bring this sculpture back to its original condition, and this designation allows us to apply to the province for funding to cover these repairs,” added Mayor Flewwelling.

Artist Mayor Frank H. Norbury received a commission in 1922 to create a sculpture of the Unknown Soldier. It was created to provide an accurate representation of the dress kit of a First World War Canadian soldier. The body of the soldier faces west in a symbolic motion away from the European battlefields and towards home and peace. He was also positioned to face the C.P.R. station from which most of the soldiers had left Red Deer for the war.

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For more information, please contact:

Mayor Morris Flewwelling
The City of Red Deer
403-342-8154