On December 16, 2024, Council approved the creation of a Cenotaph ad hoc Committee whose primary goal was to review the four options being considered for the revitalization of the Southampton Cenotaph.
On January 15, 2025, the Cenotaph ad hoc Committee held its first meeting to discuss and consider recommendations to be brought to Council regarding the Cenotaph project.
Council has also heard from members of the public, the Southampton Legion, and Consultants retained for the High Street Reconstruction project on what the repairs, reconstruction, or replacement of the Cenotaph could encompass.
The ad hoc Cenotaph Committee’s mandate included the following:
The Cenotaph is a focal point on the picturesque streetscape of High Street in Southampton. Residents, visitors, and businesses all recognize the significance of the monument in honouring the men and women of Southampton and Saugeen First Nation who gave their lives in World War I and World War II. Its importance to the community cannot be understated.
The Cenotaph site and elements (Cairn and Cross) are currently within the scope of the High Street reconstruction project and to be included in that project, a path forward needs to be approved by Council by June 2025. In that spirit, the Cenotaph ad hoc Committee’s mandate is to provide recommendations for Council’s consideration on works to be done to upgrade, rebuild, restore, and / or replace the Cenotaph, Cairn and/or Cross.
Over the course of four meetings, the Committee considered the four Options but also discussed other elements that were considered for recommendations to Council.
- Option 1 – Rebuild or Restore the Existing Cairn and Cross (Legion proposal)
- Option 2A – Proposed 2 Stone Columns (designed by the Cenotaph Committee)
- Option 2B – Proposed 2 Stone Columns with Existing Cairn and Cross (designed by the Cenotaph Committee)
- Option 3 – Rebuild/Restore the Existing Cairn and Cross with a Memorial Wall Final
At its penultimate meeting on March 12th, the Committee approved the following to be included in a report for recommendation to Council:
- That Option 1 from the RJ Burnside report be approved and that the intersection of High Street and Huron Street include design elements to further honour Southampton and Saugeen First Nation veterans, including a proposed memorial wall on the curb extensions;
- That the cairn, plaques and cross be professionally restored and maintained
- That the landscaping on the traffic island be rejuvenated;
- That the Mosquito Bomber Interpretive Plaque at George Marion Park be moved to a location closer to the Cenotaph;
- That benches and a duplicate of the ‘Women in Military’ Interpretive Plaque (located the Plex) be installed on the curb extensions at the intersection of the Southampton Cenotaph
At its final meeting on March 19th, the ad hoc Committee reviewed its report that will be presented to Council and passed the recommendation that:
“The Cenotaph ad hoc Committee recommend to Council that the Cenotaph ad hoc Committee Final Recommendations report be received for information and referred to staff for implementation of the recommendations of the Committee.”
The ad hoc Cenotaph Committee was then dissolved having fulfilled its mandate.
