Renovations to close National War Memorial for 7 months

Written by David Pugliese, The Ottawa Citizen, April 1, 2016

The National War Memorial on Elgin Street will be off limits to the public beginning the second week of April as the 77-year-old monument undergoes a second round of repairs and renovations.

The $3.2-million project will fix damaged concrete slabs and paving around the monument and refurbish the iconic bronze statues.

The work is expected to be complete by early November, in time for Remembrance Day. Throughout the work, measures will be taken to preserve and protect the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from damage. Workers will also try to minimize the impact on pedestrian and car traffic around the memorial.

The work is the second phase of renovations that began in 2014 when the monument was again closed to the public for months while workers repaired the concrete and reinforcing steel in a crawl space underneath. That work cost $2.975 million.

The current contract was awarded to Atwill-Morin Group of Montreal, which has also done restoration work on the Parliament buildings and Quebec City’s National Assembly.

With the slated construction, the sentry program, where two military members stand guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, will not occur this season. The Ottawa Police Service, which has a paid-duty contract to provide security for the unarmed sentries after Cpl. Nathan Cirillo was gunned down at the memorial on Oct. 22, 2014, will also not guard the site.

The War Memorial was designed by English sculptor Vernon March and officially dedicated in 1939 by King George VI to commemorate Canadian sacrifice in the First World War. It has since been rededicated to include the Second World War, Korea and the war in Afghanistan.

October 22nd Ottawa Attack: Photos of One Year Anniversary

All Photos property of The Canadian Press - Adrian Wyld and Sean Kilpatrick 

Corporal Nathan Cirillo's son, Marcus, places a wreath during the ceremoney remembering his fathers death at the National War Memorial in Ottawa. 

Members of the Cirillo family attend the ceremonial service at the National War Memorial on  the October 22, 2015 ceremony remembering the attacks in Ottawa and St. Jean.  

Prime Minister-Elect Justin Trudeau (Left) and outgoing Prime Minister Stephen Harper (Right) lay a wreath on behalf of the Government of Canada at the October 22, 2015 ceremony remembering the attacks in Ottawa and St. Jean.  

Flowers are placed at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the National War Memorial in Ottawa, remembering the Attacks that took the lives of two CAF members. 

A new Memorial Plaque unverilled during the ceremony, marking the death of Corporal Nathan Cirillo. Located to the right of the National War Memorial in Ottawa. 

Outgoing Prime Minister Stephen Harper shakes the hand of Marcus Cirillo, the son of Corporal Nathan Cirillo, who was killed at the National War Memorial on October 22, 2014. 

Prime Minister-Elect Justin Trudeau (Left) and outgoing Prime Minister Stephen Harper (Right) reflect after laying a wreath on behalf of the Government of Canada at the October 22, 2015 ceremony remembering the attacks in Ottawa and St. Jean.

Prime Minister-Elect Justin Trudeau (2nd from Left) and his wife Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau (left) and Laureen Harper (middle) and outgoing Prime Minister Stephen Harper (right) during the National Anthem at the October 22, 2015 ceremony remembering the attacks in Ottawa and St. Jean.

National Sentry Program Begins in Ottawa April 9

DND is inviting Media and the public to attend the opening of the National Sentry Program for the 2015 season, which will run from April 9 to November 10, 2015. (November 11th will be covered by Remembrance Day Ceremonies - Just in case you were wondering!)

Sentries will be a rotation of Royal Canadian Navy, Royal Canadian Air Force and the Canadian Army. They reinforce public awareness that the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is treated with respect and Dignity.

This year will also be a sad reminder of the attacks that took place on October 22, 2014. The Ottawa Police have agreed to provide security for the ceremonial guard throughout the season.

Event information:

When: April 9 starting at 9 AM
Where: National War Memorial - Corner of Wellington and Elgin in Ottawa
What: The Posting of Sentries for the 2015 Season.