By Lindsay Jones - The Weekly News
The historic Dingle overlooking the Northwest Arm has a new national status.
The landmark tower in Sir Sandford Fleming Park was recently christened Memorial Tower National Historic Site of Canada.
Purcells Cove-Armdale Coun. Linda Mosher spearheaded the designation and says she's absolutely thrilled that the park she grew up playing in is now getting the attention and historical recognition it deserves.
"It's one of the most beautiful landmarks in the municipality," she said. "The historical significance has been largely forgotten. People just see this beautiful tower and it sticks out in the Northwest Arm."
The tower was built between 1908 and 1912 under Canadian engineer and inventor Sir Sandford Fleming. It was built to mark the 150th anniversary of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly and to celebrate the nation's relationship with the British Empire.
According to the National Parks website, "Memorial Tower in Halifax reflects a transitional moment on the eve of the First World War, when the country was on the cusp of a change toward more independence."
National Parks also notes that the tower's unique design mirrors its commemorative intent, combining bold features of High Victorian design with Edwardian classical elements.
The federal government is planning to install a plaque-style monument adjacent to the tower sometime in the future.
Now owned by Parks Canada, the Memorial Tower will be maintained by the federal government.
Mosher said an assessment was done to determine the extent of water damage over the years to the lions, stairwell and plaques.
In the last capital budget, council approved $700,000 for the tower, and Mosher is hoping a $1.3 million federal grant for National Historic Sites will come through to help put everything back into the best condition possible.
"I'm fairly confident we will get the money," she said.
Mosher said she has made it her mission since she was elected nearly nine years ago to get the park fixed up. Council originally asked Parks Canada for designation for the whole park in 2001, but it was rejected. Council revised its request in 2006, applying solely for designation to the tower. That finally came through July 29.
Jim Prentice, Canada's Environment Minister and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, said in a release that designation of Memorial Tower highlights the historic importance of this lasting symbol of the birth of parliamentary democracy in Canada.
ljones@hfxnews.ca
