Upgrades are coming to a number of cenotaphs and memorials in Chatham-Kent.
At its meeting earlier this week, council approved a total of $200,000 be spent on renovations and repairs.
While the initial funding specifically covers work at memorials in Chatham, Blenheim, Bothwell, and Wheatley, Mayor Darrin Canniff says the goal is to spruce up cenotaphs and monuments across Chatham-Kent.
“It will improve on every cenotaph in the municipality,” Canniff explains. “There’s 12 or 13 areas, it could be just putting in a bench for some of them, but we want to make sure they are top notch. With what our veterans have done for us as far as a country goes, we need to do stuff like that.”
The upgrades do not include increased security measures, however Canniff says vandalism at the Chatham Cenotaph earlier this month highlights the need.
“In speaking with the Chief of Police, yes there will be a camera put there in short order. That was planned prior to what happened there, but it certainly put the exclamation mark on why we need to have something there.”
Among the upgrades approved Monday night including adding an engraving for Cpl Harry Milner to the Blenheim memorial; replacing the plaque on the Bothwell monument; adding lights, fencing, and four benches to the Chatham Cenotaph; and lights, fencing, and benches in Wheatley.
The municipality will also be applying for federal funding through the Canada Community War Memorial program.
