By David F. Rooney
The Angel of Hope statue at Woodenhead Park that was cruelly damaged by vandals in mid-March is going to be repaired this summer but it’s going to be costly.
Kelly Gale of the Beta Sigma Phi sorority said this will be more than a simple repair job for the statue.
The statue, a memorial to Brianne Wolgram who disappeared under mysterious circumstances in 1998, has been damaged three times by vandals. The sorority replaced the statue after the last incident at a cost of $3,000. This time, the sorority and Brianne’s mother, Sheryl, hope to protect it against future attacks.
“We have had Darren Komonoski of the City, meet with us at the site of the angel and he has been very helpful in giving us an idea of what is acceptable for enclosing the angel inside a wrought iron fence so as to prevent further damage to her,” Gale said. “We will defer fixing her wing until she is enclosed.
She said the City will excavate for the wrought iron fence foundation and Vic Van Isle will pour the concrete and install the fence itself.
“The cost will be $6,500,” Gale said. ”We will need to appeal to the public to help us raise about $4,000. Sheryl does not want us to purchase another angel as it will not have the same meaning for their family. There will be a gate on this decorative fencing and the Wolgrams and the City Public Works Department will have keys. That way, Sheryl can put flowers whenever she wishes as that is the only place she has to go in her daughters memory.”
Fortunately, people are stepping up to help raise money for the fence and the statue’s repair.
Next Friday, July 16, Shear Excellence at 113 First Street West will be holding a special fundraiser. For a $20 donation you can get your hair cut, enjoy a glass of wine and appetizers with the proceeds going to Angel of Hope Account that Beta Sigma Phi has at the Credit Union. If you can’t make it to the event but would still like to help, you can send your donation to: Angel of Hope Account, Revelstoke Credit Union, Box 989, Revelstoke, BC, V0E 2S0
