A new proposed Southampton cenotaph design has been defeated at Saugeen Shores Council, leaving the project in limbo for now.
Discussions about a new or restored cenotaph on High Street have been ongoing for a few years now, and recently with an ad hoc committee being created to come up with a design.
On Monday night, a presentation from consultants R.J. Burnside laid out a new design — a black stone wall with names inscribed in it.
The dark coloured stone was not preferred by many residents and councillors, and the use of the space around it took some criticism.
At the beginning of the meeting, some members of the public who attended spoke against the design, and a legion representative advocated for more consultation with the local branch and the community.
A few councillors also expressed frustration with the proposed design and frustration over the lack of progress on the project.
While a number of councillors expressed passionate regret a design wouldn’t be approved and the project would be delayed, they voted against the design.
Mayor Luke Charbonneau suggested residents continue to look for the ideal design as a group, perhaps through a legion committee, and council would be happy to hear more ideas.
