A monument is in the works after last year's deadly bus crash.
The crash near Carberry left 17 people from Dauphin and the area dead while another eight were injured.
Dauphin's Mayor David Bosiak says a lot of history was lost in that accident as the people who died had a significant impact on our community and that's why a monument is being created.
"I think it's incumbent upon the City to recognize the value that those people contributed to our community over the years," said Bosiak. "We want to have something in place that is a forever reminder of the significance and importance of those people. Not so much to focus on the tragedy and the event itself, but more so the people that we lost that day."
The collision happened when a bus carrying seniors on a day trip to the Sandhills Casino was hit by a semi at the Intersection of Highway 5 and the Trans-Canada Highway. Since the crash, the Manitoba government announced it has earmarked $12 million to upgrade the intersection to make it safer.
Bosiak said the city council set up a committee, which included senior administration to work with the family members on the monument. Funds raised by the Dauphin & District Community Foundation's Support Our Seniors Fund will help pay for the monument.
"The Manitoba government has also stepped up to help with the costs, which we are very appreciative of," offered Bosiak.
A local manufacturer is currently working on the monument's design. The monument will be placed at CN Park and is currently earmarked to be unveilved on June 15, which is the one-year anniversary of the crash. The unveiling date could change; however, as Bosiak says they are still in the planning phase.
"The details of the day are still being worked out, I know Repromap is doing some of the development of the monument itself," said Bosiak. "June 15 has been carved out on the calendar and representatives from the provincial government will be in town that day."
Bosiak also says he was proud of how the community banded together as one after the tragedy.
"People came together to help the families," ended Bosiak. "They respected what went on after and that was very telling. I was very proud of the citizens of our communty in the aftermath of the tragedy."
