August 30th 2015
Ref: Old Strathcona Remembers: Op Legacy Enhance
To Whom it May Concern Edmonton Salutes
Our organization is requesting funds to help us in our goal to relocate and enhance by way of
developing an interpretive park around it a monument that we can seek Federal recognition of as a
certified Canadian war monument. This would be the only such monument in Old Strathcona and with
reading boards around the monument would link the histories of the Connaught Armouries, the
Railhead of the early 1900s across from it and the park now known as Light Horse Park and Holy Trinity
Anglican the units Regimental Church. This project would also recognize those who gave the ultimate
sacrifice, the units that were involved as are now represented by The South Alberta Light Horse the
provinces oldest regiment and the rich history of Old Strathcona. The park where it will be located 8513
104St is where troops and their horses were marshaled and processed through the armories to embark
for the battlefields of Europe from the railhead across the street now known as Gateway Blvd.
Completion date is designed to coincide with the centenary of the end of WW1 at which time we
envision it being full readied for public use. We meet the Edmonton salutes mandate as this entire
project is related to those who served and their legacies. Further it will allow people for generations to
understand and recognize what the area of Old Strathcona went through sending its loved ones off to
war.
Our need is funding simple as that. We have engaged the company of IBI group to manage the
project and have carefully laid out plans in phases to allow the project to developed as and when funds
come in. stage 1 which was naming the park occurred in Sept 2014 and plans and financial needs have
been laid out. We have the tacit support of all levels of government but now are doing the applications
for funding such as Canada 150, Edmonton Salutes and other community corporate sponsors. We are
also in the process of contacting suppliers and trades to see if they will donate time, supplies to help
mitigate the financial outlay. A major partner of this is the South Alberta Light Horse Regiment who
through their foundation and supporters are raising interest and funding for us as well. Long term
strategies for funding are also having people sponsor story boards, or a brick in someone's memory to
bring the human aspect into it for all to see and we will continue to lobby all levels of government until
completion.
As the location of the project is on City property IBI group in conjunction with the City will be
working in coordination to see project timelines met and through social media we will keep all
interested parties apprised of where we are at all times. Success will be measured in completion of
phases done to both the City and IBI's satisfaction.
The total budget for this project is $569,688 as outlined in the attached costing sheet. and we
are asking Edmonton Salutes for whatever amount they may give merit to relating to the nature of the
project. More is better but setting an amount is up to the committee to decide. The funds received will
be used for Site preparation, Hard Surface Masonry, Landscaping, site furniture and masonry with
lighting and site maintenance also calculated in.
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A copy of the breakdown is included as are drawings and an artist rendering of the finished product. We
are ready to move and start as soon as funds are received and through the varied efforts believe we will
have funds soon to take on the major part of the intended project. Our first and immediate intent is to
relocate the Legion Memorial from the South end to the north end of the field and surround it with a
cement copy of the Albertan Shield. The second priority is to develop interpretative story boards to lay
out the park and its connecting heritage and what went on there almost a 100 yrs ago. As funding
permits there will be walkways and benches installed and more lighting to protect the monument from
vandalism as it is now oft to face. We have sought $300000.00 in matched funds from the Federal
Government, we have received $2500 from ATB, a donation of bricks from the University of Alberta and
have and continue to send out invitations to sponsor or help us out donate materials. As we are in the
early stages of seeking funding ATB is the only one we have had a positive reply from. SALH foundation
is also planning another golf tournament with which proceeds from are intended for this as well.
This team came together in July of 2014 as a result of local interest in seeing community
members drawn to the park in their area to remember amidst local history for Nov 11th and to provide
the community with historical input to better understand what went on there. We have succeeded in
goal one which was having the park named Light Horse Park, and now goal two is the relocation and
enhancement of the monument to protect it from vandalism and to design one worthy of official war
memorial status so the peoples of Old Strathcona can be proud of those who served and gave their lives.
I am Stephen "Sticks" Gallard the Chair of the project and my Deputy is LCol Troy Steele
Commanding Officer of the Sth Alberta Light Horse. Members of the board include Linda Duncan MP,
Rachel Notley Premier of Alberta, Ben Henderson City of Edmonton and most of the major stakeholders
in the Old Strathcona area. (see attached list of supporters).
As the main contact my cell is #587-987-2454 or my home# 780-757-9848 and LCol Steele's
phone number is #780-710-7254. We have been having meetings to set out goals and approve plans
approximately every 3-4 months or as and when decisions have to be made. Minutes are being
maintained through the kind help of Linda Duncan's officer who has been a blessing to us all. All levels of
local stakeholders have been consulted from the business's to the Community League and plans are
made available by request by any party interested in us. We are using the regimental church as an arm's
length 3rd party neutral organization to ensure no conflicts with any monies donated occur.
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Attached to this request are as follows;
a) Letter of support from City of Edmonton Paul Samboryk
b) Artist's rendering of project completion
c) Preliminary Estimate 2 pgs, not expected to change
d) schematic of project
e)Proof of and support for the Parks name Light Horse Park
f)list of confirmed supporters of the project.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I am but a simple soldier who seeks to see the memory and legacy of
those who served remembered in the area so integral to that history. I may not be eloquent or
administratively a genius but I know the area needs and should have a proper war memorial as this is
where it all started for so many who did not make it home in the Boer War and WW1. If there is
something missing I ask for a chance to be contacted and reasonable time to locate and find the
answers you seek. I am more than willing to attend any question and answer period and truly hope you
will see the merit in our request and support us as generously as you can to make this a reality. I thank
for your time and attention into this request and look forward to hearing from your help.
Respectfully Submitted
Stephen "Sticks" Gallard CD
11232 94th St
Edmonton Alberta T5G1G9
cel#587-987-2454 or home #780-757-9848