Centretown is one step closer to being the site of a $2-million monument honouring the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Navy, to be built along the Ottawa River near LeBreton Flats.
A National Capital Commission jury revealed its top five design choices and asked for public input. A final decision will be made by the end of October, says Sylvie Tilden, senior manager of commemoration, public art and representation at the NCC.
Tilden says the NCC considered the artistic merit and credentials of the teams, as well as their previous experience working with large-scale projects when choosing the top five.
Capt. John Pickford, project manager for the Canadian Naval Centennial, says the monument is intended to be a legacy for the navy.
"Each design team had a different approach to the vision they were asked to portray, and I think they all did a wonderful job," Pickford says.
He says the monument is meant to celebrate the navy's achievements, but also to raise public awareness about the importance of its role in Canadian history.
"We see the monument as a tribute to Canadians of all walks of life," Pickford says. "Those currently serving, those who served in the past, and Canadians in general."
Pickford says he is pleased with the designs, and feels they meet the navy's objective for this monument.
"I support the concept of building a monument to recognize the men and women who have served in Canada's navy in the past century," says MP Paul Dewar's communications assistant on his behalf, though Dewar didn't offer opinions on the final designs.
Tilden says the winning model needs to represent the future. She says Canadians would expect it to be "something that naval personnel will be inspired by."
"It has to be forward-looking, something that is timeless and has symbolism that they can understand and relate to," she says.
British Columbia is also taking steps to prepare for the Naval Centennial.
On Sept. 30 in Esquimalt, hundreds of artifacts, including shell casings, snippets of brass, naval medals and pins, and even love letters and photographs from the navy's first century were melted down to create a brass ship's bell. Pickford says the bell is significant because it represents the sole of a ship.
The bell will be part of the official Naval Centennial memorial ceremony to take place on May 4, 2010, which marks the navy's official 100th birthday. Pickford says the bell will be presented to the people of Canada on Parliament Hill where it will remain on display temporarily, but a permanent location has not yet been decided. Although Pickford says the bell will not become part of the monument itself, both will serve as lasting symbols of respect for the Royal Canadian Navy.
Tilden says the NCC jury still has a lot of work ahead. Public feedback will be reviewed and considered when making the final decision, and the winning model will be revealed as soon as a decision is reached.