No decisions on Victoria Park statue project until public survey closes

Victoria Park in Kitchener, Ont., is seen in this file photo from September 2010.

It will be a little bit longer before any decision is made on whether to put statues of all Canada’s prime ministers in Kitchener’s Victoria Park.

A community group has proposed building the statues in the park as a way to celebrate Canada’s upcoming 150th birthday.

Jim Rodger, a member of that group, has said $1 million has been raised for the statue and the city is being asked to contribute $300,000.

That requested contribution has split city councillors, with some in favour of the idea, some opposed to using public funds and some against the statues in any case.

In that last camp is Coun. Frank Etherington, who says he’s “totally opposed” to the project and suspects most of the public feels the same way.

“People don’t elect prime ministers in Canada, yet they’re being asked to support what I think is an elitist project to put 22 prime ministers in a public park,” he tells CTV News.

The issue made its way to the city’s council chambers Monday night, with city staff having prepared a master plan for the project.

However, councillors – who had asked for the master plan to be presented Monday – opted to delay the presentation until after Feb. 7, when a public survey on the issue finishes.

“I can’t remember the last time we heard from 1,700 people on an issue,” said Coun. Berry Vrbanovic.

“I for one am very open and anxious to hear what those results will be.”

More than 1,700 people have already filled out the online survey.