While the Badlands Community Facility was built with an eye to the future, it has allowed Drumheller residents to show its pride in its wartime past.
One of the most striking fixtures people see when driving past the Badlands Community Facility is the newly restored Cenotaph. It bears the names of Drumheller residents who perished in World War I, World War II and the Korean War.
Once a fixture of a sheltered hidden green space, it is now a showpiece for the community.
Discussion of relocating the Cenotaph began long before there was any firm plans to build a community facility. Many in the community felt it deserved a new, more prominent location. When the community facility got underway, a committee set to work to raise the funds for the relocation and refurbishing of the cenotaph. On June 3 the cenotaph was rededicated.
“It was a really special moment because we had been working on it for two years,” said Stan Baird. “It was a relief to get this thing done. I was proud of the fact that we did a great thing for the community and the veterans who passed away in the various wars.”
They set about fundraising and the community jumped onboard. Many individuals, groups and businesses contributed to the fund. Veteran Affairs Canada came on board and was able to contribute half of the funds needed for the project.
On May 24, MP Kevin Sorenson for Crowfoot riding officially announced the funding for the Cenotaph. Veterans Affairs contributed $23,650 to the project.
“Our government applauds the members of Royal Canadian Legion Branch #22 for their initiative to restore the Drumheller Cenotaph, which provides a place in our community to honour local heroes,” said Mr. Sorenson. “Helping community groups restore local memorials is one way our government is working to ensure young Canadians and their families will learn about and remember the achievements and sacrifices of the men and women who protect our rights and freedoms.”
According to a press release, the funding for this initiative is provided through the Cenotaph/Monument Restoration Program. Through this program, our Government works in partnership with community groups and local organizations to ensure that cenotaphs and monuments honouring our nation’s heroes are conserved to the highest standard of care and dignity.
The Drumheller Cenotaph was erected in 1937, and bears the names of Drumheller residents who died at war. Through the meticulous research of Reg Bennett, the names of Charles Alain Chisnall, Reginald Greentree, James Charles Preisig, and George Hill Brown have been added. Members of the Greentree family and Preisig’s nephew attended the ceremony.
