THEBACHA/FORT SMITH - A new cenotaph to honour and remember veterans has been built in Fort Smith.

Dennis Rolfe, manager of Royal Canadian Legion Branch 239 in Fort Smith, stands next to the new cenotaph constructed on the Legion's grounds. - Paul Bickford/NNSL photo

The monument stands in front of Royal Canadian Legion Branch 239, and played an integral role for the first time in Fort Smith's Remembrance Day ceremonies on Nov. 11.

Dennis Rolfe, the branch manager, said the monument has been well-received by Legion members.

"It’s been excellent," he said.

Rolfe said the monument was completed about a month ago, except for a granite facing.

The granite will be added once temperatures rise again, he said. "It will be in the spring."

The new cenotaph replaces one that stood for many years in Conibear Park, a small municipal park in Fort Smith.

On July 4, volunteers from the Legion broke apart that old cenotaph.

It was dismantled because of vandalism and a desire by the Legion to have the monument on its own property.

The idea was to use some of the old cenotaph to build the new one, but Rolfe noted the new monument is all brand new concrete.

A plaque from the old monument was added to the new one.

The branch manager also noted the new monument is expected to come in under the $20,000 the Legion had budgeted for the project.

When the former cenotaph was removed from Conibear Park in July, then Fort Smith mayor Peter Martselos said many town residents were disappointed over the relocation, since the monument had stood in the park for decades.

Martselos also hoped the Legion would consider rebuilding it in its traditional location.

If not, he said the town might consider erecting some other kind of monument in the park.

Janie Hobart, Fort Smith's current mayor, said no decision has been made by the new council on erecting a monument in Conibear Park.

"It will all be part of our strategic planning over the next six months," she said.

The public will be able to make suggestions for Conibear Park, Hobart added. "I'm waiting to see what kind of ideas the public gives us."