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Navy artifact honouring Veteran's service to be installed at Piper Park

NEWS RELEASE - Distributed July 14, 2016 12:30 PM

Summary

To honour Canada's Navy veterans, the Vancouver Island Military Museum (VIMM) requested and received permission from Nanaimo City Council to install a decommissioned 40 mm Bofors gun on the grounds of Piper Park (100 Cameron Road). The gun, originating from the Maritime Coastal Defence Vessel HMCS Nanaimo, was offered to VIMM by the Department of National Defence due to a refit of the ship currently underway in Esquimalt. VIMM plans to place the deactivated gun in Piper Park for historical interpretive purposes and as a tangible reminder of the dedication to those men and women who have served, and continue to serve, on board HMCS Nanaimo I and II. The installation also honours the specific connection between Nanaimo and this ship, which includes granting Freedom of the City to the ship's crew in 1997.

VIMM will cover a majority of the installation costs, but have asked the City to install a concrete pad (estimated cost approximately $1,800) to act as a foundation for mounting the gun.

Link to Strategic Plan: Installation of the Bofors gun will further the goals of the Cultural Vitality (Creativity, Diversity, Heritage and Innovation) pillar of the Corporate Strategic Plan by creating an interesting, outdoor historic interpretive location related to the nearby military museum, and continues the tradition of placing historical artifacts in Piper Park for public viewing.

Key Points

  • The Vancouver Island Military Museum has received permission to place a 40 mm Bofors gun (decommissioned from the HMCS Nanaimo) at Piper Park for historical interpretive purposes and to honour the service of all who have served, and who are still serving, on board HMCS Nanaimo I and II.
  • The gun installation will create an interesting, outdoor historic interpretive location related to the nearby military museum, and continues the tradition of placing historical artifacts in Piper Park for public viewing.

Quotes

Ian Thorpe

"As a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, I am especially pleased at Council's support for this installation. This will be a tangible and appropriate recognition of those who have served on HMCS Nanaimo, a ship with strong ties to our City's history."

Ian Thorpe
Councillor
City of Nanaimo

"The Vancouver Island Military Museum Society is very pleased with City Council’s approval for the placement, next to the museum, of the decommissioned 40mm Bofors gun, removed from the CPD HMCS Nanaimo II. This historical interpretive item will be to honour the service of those who served and are still serving. A dedication ceremony will take place next year in 2017 to coincide with the 20th anniversary of the freedom of the city honour given to HMCS Nanaimo II 17th may 1997."

Roger Bird
President
Vancouver Island Military Museum Society
-30-

Contact:

Chris Sholberg
Culture/Heritage Planner
City of Nanaimo
250-755-4472
Richard Harding
Director, Parks, Recreation and Environment
City of Nanaimo
250-755-7516

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