The developers of a former Legion Hall in New Toronto will be responsible for paying for the move and installation of a much-cherished Cenotaph that graced the community for decades.

The move of the Cenotaph comes as members of Etobicoke York Community Council on September 9 voted to adopt without amendment a plan by a developer to build on 150 Eighth Street. The matter will go before City Council on September 30.

A six-storey building containing 90 residential units, 94 parking spaces and a floor area of 9,964-square-meters is planned for the site.

A five-metre wide strip of land that spans the length of the north property line will also be conveyed to the City of Toronto as parkland to expand the existing Eighth Street Skate Park.

Members of the community have expressed their concerns about the maintenance of a beloved 7.5 metre high-granite Cenotaph that was installed in 1983 and commemorates the Canadian soldiers lost during WWI, WWII and the Korean War.

The Cenotaph and former Legion hall attracted hundreds of residents yearly who paid their respects to fallen soldiers in Remembrance Day activities until the hall was shut.

Council agreed the relocation of the Cenotaph to nearby Colonel Samuel Smith Park, at Lake Shore Blvd. W., and Kipling Ave., will be part of the development.

“Prior to the issuance of any building permit an, or demolition permit for the subject property, the owner shall, at the owner’s sole cost, relocate the Cenotaph from its existing location to Col. Samuel Smith Park,” community council members agreed.

Council members ordered the developer to issue a Letter of Credit to the City for $360,000 to guarantee the safe relocation of the Cenotaph to Colonel Samuel Smith Park and to guarantee against any damages to parks property and to the satisfaction of City officials.

They said the move, with final siting and orientation of the Cenotaph will be determined and agreed upon by the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation and the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture.

Council also deemed the developer is responsible for the structural design of the new Cenotaph foundation, all utility locates, all excavation, construction of the new concrete foundation, and the moving of and installation of the Cenotaph onto its new foundation.

The developer has to provide documentation from a qualified structural engineer certifying that the design and construction of the Cenotaph foundation in Colonel Samuel Smith Park has been completed as per the owner’s structural design and to the satisfaction of City officials.

Area residents say it is about time that the Cenotaph be placed in a new home, which they hope will be a high-profile and visible section of the park, where it can be seen by many.