The completion of two projects along Barrie’s waterfront, marking the Royal Canadian Air Force’s 100th anniversary, was celebrated Thursday morning at Military Heritage Park.
The floral and paverstone roundels were done in partnership with the RCAF and Trees for Life.
“Here, so near to the birthplace of the RCAF (at CFB Borden), you have put together a truly wonderful tribute,” said Lt.-Gov. Edith Dumont.
“Pilots will fly over and see their own logos and the rest of us will have a beautiful stage to sit or stand and look up at the planets, the skies and the stars, and both groups will be reminded of the remarkable history of the RCAF,” she added.
Dumont was referring to a tulip garden in the shape of the RCAF roundel — an outer blue circle, white interior with a red maple leaf — as well as in-laid brick, also in the shape of the air force roundel, along one of the park’s pathways.
“It’s one the people of Barrie will get to enjoy for many, many years to come,” Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall said of the in-laid brick roundel. “I hope everybody has the opportunity to spend some time here.”
The RCAF paverstone roundel project is located on the far eastern border of Military Heritage Park, features a central paverstone maple leaf and has 13 red maple trees planted around the site, representing the 13 provinces and territories of Canada, as well as 100 bayberry shrubs, representing 100 years of the RCAF.
Planting was done with the help of local Air Cadet 102 Squadron. The roundel design includes six custom benches, created and donated by the Lepp Family, made from reclaimed wood from former CFB Rivers, which was a No. 1 Air Navigation School in Manitoba.
The RCAF floral roundel is planted in blue and red annual flowers, separated by white decorative landscape rock, to convey the colours of the RCAF roundel emblem. It’s more than 10 metres in diameter and is located near the walkway beside Southshore Centre.
The roundel projects were funded in part by Veterans Affairs Canada.
The roundel project completion is occurring this year among a number of significant military anniversaries, including the RCAF's 100th anniversary and the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
