ECI Legacy Memorial

Estevan Collegiate Institute
Estevan, Saskatchewan, Canada

Larry Preddy contacted Estevan City Council, in 2002, with plans, and a request for the land for the Legacy Memorial, through the Parks and Recreation Department. A letter from the City dated July 9, 2002, stated “City Council is pleased to advise the ECI Legacy Project Committee that the property over-looking Luscar Park will be dedicated to the ECI Legacy Project to build a monument on the valley edge across from the ECI school. This will be an attractive memorial to a school that had many of our citizens pass through. We look forward to updates on your project.” All was a go with them at that point, and Construction of the ECI Legacy Memorial began Apr 24, 2005.

The Legacy Committee raised over $33,000 at the Reunion in 2000. More money has been donated since then. A lot of work was donated, or done at cost. The City of Estevan now maintains the area, as part of the Estevan Park System. Total cost has been estimated at around $93,000.00.

It all started with a Conceptual Drawing done by Cherlyl Andrist, nee Mitchell, with input from the Legacy Committee. The view of her drawing is from the valley, looking toward 1st st, where ECI once proudly stood. The Black Squares are where the names of all Alumni and Teachers are engraved in Black Granite Panels. Per Larry Preddy in May 2007. “Each Plaque will be 4’ x 4’ in black granite with gold lettering. Each plaque cost approx. $4000.”

The original concrete work was done by Norm Fichter of F & L Concrete Services.

It was hoped that construction would have been complete by July’s Estevan Homecoming in 2005. That did not happen. Turned out they needed a building permit to build the memorial, and work was stopped Apr 28, 2005, for over a year, until this was sorted out. The Committee had to pay $3747 to hire a Geo-technical Engineer to do soil tests surrounding the concrete. Approval was finally given in the fall of 2005.

July, 2006 Construction started again, after the building permit problem was sorted out. Larry Preddy spent a day waterproofing the backside of the concrete retaining wall, then the weeping tiles were installed, and back filling by Turnbull Excavating was done, Aug 18, 2006.

Southeast Tree Care donated product and personnel to do weed control around the site. Monday, August 21 & Tuesday, August 22, 2006 another donor supplied personnel and equipment to do the majority of the landscaping, including the development of the bed for a pathway to connect with the pathway already present in the Valley.

May 18, 2007 the Cement floor was poured. It alone cost $17,000.00.

Thanks to Larry Preddy and Ken McDonald’s hard work at picking, and hand cleaning, the original bricks, from the demolished school, these were recycled into this memorial, Sept 23, 2007, by Architect, and Mud Man- Larry Preddy; Foreman, and Brick Jointer- Ken McDonald; and Master Brick Layer- Gerald (Gerry) Westgard (Mar 24, 1937-June 17, 2009).

The Front Concrete Columns around the door, were saved, and used in the Memorial Construction, next to the stairs. Also saved, and re-used was the 1912 Collegiate Institute Terrazzo Steps from the School Entrance. The crew saved, opened, and re-filled the ECI Cornerstone from 1912. (See link on left to view the Cornerstone history)

The Memorial's Dedication Ceremony took place June 30, 2007, during Estevan's 50th Anniversary Celebration.

Nov 13, 2007- The Top Metal Fence was added by Ken Kehler of KRJ Custom Fabricating. Fencing was donated by Ken and Ole Peteherych. Posts were donated by Don Biette of Supreme Oilfield Construction. Fence and Posts were installed and painted black by Ken McDonald and Larry Preddy. Ken Mehler also donated a bunch of topsoil and hauled and spread it.

The Water Irrigation System was Donated and installed by Brad Johnson of Johnson's Plumbing & Heating. Plants were donated by Riverbend Nursery and planted by Gerry Fichtemann, with Legacy Committee help in pre-digging holes.

Nov 2, 2013 an email from Larry Preddy told me that thanks to Ken McDonald and a few dedicated locals, they were able to finally mount the “Collegiate Institute” Sign in the fall of 2013. Vandals had destroyed part of the arch, so they had to improvise on the final display. It was lifted in place by the donated services of Skylift Services, into a metal tub custom built by KRJ Custom fabricating.

Murals were painted on each of the 2 end walls, by Jeff & Linda Gudmundson. These not only add some beautiful colour and art to the Memorial, they also tell some history of the School as well.

Last but not least, 4 Picnic tables were installed on the floor of the monument, and lighting was donated, and added by Bob's Electric. Surveillance equipment was added to curb vandalism.

The Bell, that used to be on display on 1st Ave, by Elks Park, was moved to this site. It was originally the First School Bell in Estevan, then moved to the old Central School in Estevan, which was on the SW corner 3rd st. and 13th Ave.

So today the Legacy Monument stands as a great Legacy to Good Old ECI.

Thanks to the Legacy Committee, many Volunteers, and Donors of Material and Labour over the years.

ECI Legacy Memorial Committee- Larry Preddy- Chairman of Reunion 2000, and Ken McDonald, Chairman (Foreman) of the Committee

These 2 guys deserve most of the credit for getting this structure built, as a lasting Legacy for ECI. I know they will thank the rest of the volunteers, and Donors, but it would not have been built without them. End of discussion!

I know Larry Preddy had pre-paid for a lot of this Memorial, otherwise it would never have been completed, and at Reunion 2017, he told me he was happy with the amount paid back to him, from Donations, and the rest outstanding was his personal donation. Thanks again Larry!

Larry told me he officially signed over the park to the City of Estevan, so they now own and maintain it as part of the Estevan Parks.

This page is in progress, but here are some pictures in the meantime