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THEBACHA/FORT SMITH - For the third time, Fort Smith has erected a life-sized buffalo statue. Previous buffalo statues were destroyed by vandals.

Mayor Peter Martselos is hopeful the new statue will be standing for quite a while. The new statue - featuring a full-sized buffalo and a smaller version of the majestic animal - was erected on Oct. 6.

Mayor Peter Martselos stands by the new buffalo statue, featuring two versions of the majestic animal, in front of the Fort Smith Rec Centre. - Paul Bickford/NNSL photo

It has been placed on the same pedestal where the destroyed statues stood in front of the community's Rec Centre.

"This time there is going to be a security camera to protect it," said Martselos, explaining the camera on the Rec Centre will cover the area, which is illuminated by new lighting.

Martselos hopes the statue will not be bothered this time.

"When we beautify the town, it's for everyone to enjoy, both Fort Smith residents and visitors," he said.

The mayor said the town decided to put up the statue one more time because of a decrease in vandalism in the community during the summer.

The statue and the lighting cost the town close to $15,000, with the money coming from insurance and a beautification fund.

The installation was done for free by CAB Construction.

Martselos said the new statue, which was ordered by the town from a company in Quebec, is not fibreglass like the previous statues.

The new statue is made of steel.

"It's very, very solid," Martselos said, adding it would take a lot of effort for anyone to cause any damage.

The mayor said he is pleased the statue is back, adding people often asked him when the statues would be replaced. The first statue - one of about 30 identical ones built for the 2001 World Track and Field Championships in Edmonton - was placed on the pedestal in late 2002.

It was purchased by the town with the support of a number of businesses and government agencies.

Vandals destroyed that statue in August of 2005.

Another statue built for the track and field championships was donated by an Edmonton company and erected in June of 2006.

That second statue was standing for just a month and a half before being vandalized.

The new statue is among several new additions to Fort Smith.

Two new ornate lampposts have been added to a small park where St. Anne's Hospital once stood. The previous lights were also targeted by vandals.

However, Martselos said the new lights are higher and on a more solid foundation.

The town has also erected a large outdoor thermometer at a busy downtown intersection.