Ten months and counting since Thompson's original roadside attraction was sent to the cleaners, the city hopes to see the King Miner statue back and set up in a new location before winter arrives.
"We are still planning to bring the miner statue back to Thompson in the fall of this year," said Thompson recreation, parks and culture director Bruce Krentz. "The site still hasn't been finalized but our discussions are ongoing and I expect we will announce the site in the next month."
The August 2009 recreation and community service committee/recreation department report circulated at a recent city council meeting said a location had already been determined for the statue. "His new home will be at the south end of the city, near the entrance to Vale Inco," read the section of the report regarding the King Miner statue.
However, according to Krentz and Vale Inco spokesman David Markham, the decision is not yet final.
"It is my understanding that a new site for the King Miner statue has not been finalized at this time, but that discussions are ongoing," Markham wrote in an email. "Vale Inco has participated in these discussions as a member of a committee considering this matter."
United Steelworkers Local 6166 is also involved in those discussions.
"The details are being worked out," city councillor and chair of the recreation and community service committee Charlene Lafreniere said in response to an email about the King Miner statue's return. "The intent is to have a passive park as part of the statue site. Contributions will be made by all parties. It is the goal to have it completed this year, however, a date for completion has not been set."
Krentz said the south end of the city was the most popular site for the statue to be relocated to in a survey conducted by the city last year.
"It is good to keep in mind that the survey was just a tool to give the committee some idea how the public felt," said Krentz. "It wasn't the only factor in choosing a site but rather just a part of the information-gathering process."
The other options in the survey were Anay-Powin Circle on Mystery Lake Road, the top of Ravine Park near the Bailey Bridge, or Elizabeth Drive in front of the Steel Centre.
The fibreglass statue was sent to Winnipeg Nov. 6 last year after being removed from its former pedestal at the entrance to the recreation centre grounds.
It spent the winter under the care of John Henry Creations, a Winnipeg company specializing in two- and three-dimensional artwork, including sculptures.
"So far, Vale Inco has provided the services of our rigging crew to asist in the removal of the statue," said Markham, "but that is the extent of our contribution to the project at this time (although we have agreed to provide further assistance when a plan has been agreed to)."
Erected in June 1981 as part of Thompson's 25th anniversary celebrations, the King Miner statue was sculpted by Winnipeg artist George Barone and purchased for $35,000 by Inco and the Province of Manitoba, then donated to the city.
