Fredericton legion collects $80K for new cenotaph

Donations have been pouring into the Royal Canadian Legion's Fredericton branch to fix or replace the cross on the provincial monument that toppled just days before Remembrance Day.

Jim Little, the general manager of the branch, said the legion has received $80,000 in donations and pledges from across the country to repair the cenotaph.

Little said they've put out requests for quotes on replacing the downtown monument.

"We felt that having it repaired would leave scarring damage on the cross itself, and it's not proper respect really for the veterans," Little said.

"So, we thought we'd like to have it completely replaced. And with the funding we now have available, it can be replaced no trouble at all."

One of the donors requested that any funds leftover be used for upgrades, such as better lighting and walkways at the site. Little said the monument should be ready to install by the spring.

Among the donations, $5,000 came from a local brewery, $25,000 from TD Canada Trust and $40,000 from an anonymous donor.

The Fredericton Police was investigating whether the damage was caused by vandals. However, the police have also called in an expert to investigate the possibility that the three-metre granite cross atop the monument fell over on its own because of structural flaws.