For immediate release OTTAWA, November 24, 2004 -- A $16,300,000 competitive contract has been awarded to Monument Vanderkerckhove S.A., a Belgian company, to restore the Vimy Memorial in France. Awarded by Public Works and Government Services Canada on behalf of Veterans Affairs Canada, this contract will be completed in December 2006. The announcement was made today by the Honourable Albina Guarnieri, Minister of Veterans Affairs and the Honourable Scott Brison, Minister of Public Works and Government Services. "The Memorial is symbolic of our deep commitment to peace in the world," said Minister Brison. "Its restoration will ensure that the memory of those who gave their lives in the name of liberty will endure." "Our monument at Vimy stands in eternal vigil over the battlefield where so many Canadians fought and died," said Minister Guarnieri. "It is also one of our nation's finest works of art. We will complete its restoration so it can awe the generations ahead as it has inspired us." Monument Vanderkerckhove S.A. has sub-contracted Lari Construction, a Canadian firm specializing in heritage masonry, to work with them to restore the monument. The Memorial was designed by Canadian sculptor and architect Walter Seymour Allward early in the 20th century and completed in 1936. Over the years, the monument has not sustained the expansion and contraction that occur with temperature variations. The work involves repairing stone, walkways, walls, terraces, stairs, and platforms, as well as carving new stones and landscaping adjacent to the Memorial. A Canadian architect, Mr. Julian Smith, will collaborate with a French architect in overseeing the design. Site preparation work is scheduled to begin during the first week of December 2004. Funding for this contract was provided within the existing fiscal framework. This contract was awarded through an open, competitive bidding process. For information on contracting opportunities with the Government of Canada, visit www.merx.com, Canada's official, public sector electronic tendering service. - 30 - For further information, media may contact: Renée David Press Secretary Office of Minister Brison (819) 997-5421 Mario Baril Manager, Media Relations (819) 956-2315 Mike Scandiffio Director of Communications Office of Minister Guarnieri. (613) 996-4649 Janice Summerby Media Relations Advisor Veterans Affairs Canada (613) 992-7468 PWGSC news releases are also available on our Internet site at www.pwgsc.gc.ca/comm/min/text/mediaroom-e.html.
