The historic Brampton cenotaph that has stood in front of city hall for nearly a century will soon be relocated to nearby Gage Park as part of a major redevelopment project planned for Ken Whillans Square.
The City of Brampton announced that the square in front of city hall will undergo a $15-million transformation beginning this summer, aimed at creating a larger and more modern downtown event space.
Planned upgrades include:
- A permanent performance stage
- A large digital screen
- Improved pedestrian connections to Garden Square
- New floral-inspired paving designs reflecting Brampton’s “Flower City” identity
City officials say the redesign is intended to make the downtown core more suitable for festivals, concerts, community celebrations and large public gatherings.
Legion Supported the Move After Extensive Consultation
The cenotaph relocation was developed in consultation with Royal Canadian Legion Major William Dwight Sharpe Branch 15, which owns the memorial.
Hank Verschuren, who has served as commander of Brampton’s Remembrance Day parade since 1997, said the legion reviewed several options before supporting the move.
“There’s been extensive consultations with the city in terms of the plans for the cenotaph,” Verschuren said, adding that branch members voted overwhelmingly in favour of relocation.
According to Verschuren, legion members felt the cenotaph deserved a quieter and more dignified setting away from a busy entertainment space.
“We felt that having an event space immediately beside the cenotaph would take a lot of dignity away from the cenotaph,” he explained.
New Memorial Features Planned
The cenotaph itself will be moved intact and preserved in its original form.
The new location in Gage Park will also include:
- A memorial wall
- Names of Brampton-area Canadian service members killed in action
- Recognition of conflicts dating back to the First World War
The city will cover all relocation and construction costs.
A Historic Landmark Since 1928
According to Veterans Affairs Canada, the cenotaph was designed by Toronto architect Mackenzie Waters and officially unveiled on July 4, 1928 by Governor General Lord Willingdon before thousands of spectators.
The memorial has served as the focal point for Brampton’s annual Remembrance Day ceremonies for nearly 100 years.
Veterans Affairs Canada describes the monument as symbolizing “a gradual rise from the level of inaction through service and sacrifice to great achievement rewarded by the Wreath of Victory.”
Construction on the Ken Whillans Square redevelopment is expected to begin later this year.