Crumbling Malvern Collegiate war memorial standing tall again
November 4, 2011
Kristin Rushowy
EDUCATION REPORTER
Over the years, it’s been painted red, wrapped in toilet paper, dressed up and climbed upon. Pieces have crumbled or fallen off, and parts gone missing.
But after falling into disrepair, the World War I memorial statue outside Malvern Collegiate, in Toronto’s Beaches neighbourhood, is finally back to its old self.
The statue — of a male holding chains in his left hand, and a sword in his right — was celebrated Friday at an unveiling which also served as a thank-you to those who helped fundraise the roughly $44,000 needed for repairs.
The memorial listed the 25 former Malvern students who died in battle in World War I, which had eroded over time. The statue was first unveiled in 1922.
“I think it’s a dream come true,” said principal Line Pinard. “What made this come to fruition was the partnership with parents, neighbours, alumni, veterans’ groups, staff, board officials — the whole community.”
She said parents have even helped design curriculum for Grade 10 history students with lessons about the statue. Getting the memorial repaired has been a years-long effort spearheaded by the Malvern Red and Black alumni society. About a decade ago, Fran Perkins — who lives right across the street from Malvern and attended it in the late 1950s — found the right hand of the statue, the sword nowhere to be found.
The restoration included tracking down another statue by the same artist, with a similar sword, and creating a new one, as well as restoring the names of the 25 students.
Perkins said neighbours, alumni and parents took the day off work to take part in Friday’s ceremony, as did Grade 10 students who were learning about the war in history class.
“I’m excited,” added Vandra Masemann, who chaired the restoration committee.
Some $30,000 was raised in the community — including the families of those killed in the war, PACE Credit Union, the Maintenance and Construction Skilled Trades Council — and $14,000 from the Veterans Affairs Canada.
The second phase of repairs will include better lighting and a high-tech security camera to thwart vandals, added Perkins.
While it was egged earlier this week, she promises to “keep an eye on it and we’ve asked the kids to help out,” she said.