The City of Kelowna and Mission Group have stepped in to ensure a memorial honouring five people who died in a crane collapse three years ago will be built.

On July 12, 2021, a crane collapsed while it was being dismantled at the corner of Bernard Avenue and St. Paul Street.

The incident took the lives of construction workers Cailen Vilness, Jared Zook, Eric Stemmer, and Patrick Stemmer. Brad Zawislak was also killed when the crane crashed into the building where he was working.

The RISE Memorial Foundation took on the responsibility of planning and building a memorial in Knowles Heritage Park. However, a week ago, the foundation announced construction had been delayed.

Today (July 11) the city announced that, along with Mission Group, additional contingency funding is being provided so construction can begin this year.

害羞草研究所淲ith rising labour and material costs, the city understands that the foundation recently announced a potential funding shortfall, which is delaying the start of construction,害羞草研究所� said Mayor Tom Dyas. 害羞草研究所淲e are inspired by the community害羞草研究所檚 fundraising success over this last year, which raised over $160,000 towards the memorial害羞草研究所檚 construction.害羞草研究所� 

The Rise Foundation has also submitted several grant applications for the additional $150,000 needed to cover project costs.  While the applications are being processed, the city and Mission Group have agreed to provide contingency funding. 

"I think the commitment is a testament to the community's desire to get this done," said Kelly Hutchinson, Rise Memorial Foundation director. "I'm really proud of the last year of fundraising. Raising close to $200,000 is remarkable in my books and it's nice to see the city come in to match the commitments."

The non-profit society is made up of family members of the victims and community partners.