Eight designs have been selected as finalists for the Lord Stanley’s gift monument that will be taking the place of Territorial Prerogative on Elgin and Sparks streets. Covit/Nguyen/Norr
Monday marked the last full day for Ottawa’s famous bear sculpture at the corner of Sparks and Elgin streets – home of the salmon-loving bruin for more than 25 years.
Like many bears before her, the one titled Territorial Prerogative — an ironic name if ever there was one — is being relocated to make way for a new installation: Lord Stanley’s Gift Monument. It’s a $4.2-million statue commemorating Lord Stanley of Preston’s bestowing of the Dominion hockey challenge trophy (later known as the Stanley Cup) in 1892.
Beginning Tuesday at 7 a.m., city crews began deconstructing the giant grizzly, designed by Ottawa sculptor Bruce Garner, and assisted her as she slowly migrated toward her new home to the west, the corner of Sparks and Metcalfe streets. The entire process is scheduled to take three days, and will see the mother bear reunited with her young cub and three bronze salmon, which were removed several years ago to avoid damage.
From her new vantage point, the towering grizzly will now command a view of Parliament Hill—perhaps encouraging those in Centre Block to behave.
Or, for the less cynical, the new location will allow Ottawa residents and tourists alike to snap selfies with the bear and the iconic Peace Tower behind.
Perhaps a shirtless prime minister will even photo bomb the scene.
Eight candidate designs for the new Lord Stanley monument were unveiled Sept. 22 at the Canada Council for the Arts. A winning design will be chosen from among the finalists and revealed on Oct. 25.
The public is encouraged to visit the competition website. Comments and thoughts on the designs can be shared until Oct. 7.
The completed monument is scheduled to be unveiled in December 2017, in time for the 125th anniversary of the gift to hockey by the 19th-century governor general.