Brantford businessman steps up to save the Welcome Sculpture

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A Brantford businessman with a history of supporting community endeavours has stepped up to save the Welcome Sculpture.

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Paul Aucoin of Aucoin Investments said he appreciates the sculpture and the benefit it provides to the Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre.

“I read in The Expositor that it was in need of repairs, thought why not help out,” Aucoin said. “I’ve been in the Gretzky centre a lot over the years and I know how much young hockey players, especially, those from out of town, enjoy it.

“I’ve seen a lot of kids getting their photos taken with that sculpture over the years.”

A past owner of the Brantford Red Sox, Aucoin was a major contributor to the statues of Wayne Gretzky, and his parents Walter and Phyllis, in front of the Gretzky centre. The statue depicts Wayne holding the Stanley Cup.

The Welcome Sculpture was donated by Brant Mutual Insurance in 2013 and depicts a young female hockey player tying her skates.

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Unlike other city sculptures, which are made of lay and dipped in bronze, the Welcome Sculpture is made of composite materials including fiberglass, Bondon and paint to replicate a bronze-like-finish.

The sculpture has deteriorated over time due to wear and tear.

Although there are signs asking people not to lean or climb on the sculpture, visitors often take photos with it. As a result, it has been climbed and leaned on resulting in damage.

Back in March, city officials recommended decommissioning the sculpture because it isn’t part of the municipality’s public art collection. As a result, the city is unable to allocate funds from the public reserve funds to cover the restoration.

At that time, the restoration was expected to cost about $8,325.

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But several city councillors, including Dan McCreary, Rose Sicoli and Mandy Samwell, asked that a decision on the sculpture’s future be delayed in hopes some way could be found to save it.

The delay paid off. When the issue became public a benefactor – Aucoin – stepped forward with an offer to help out.

“Paul has always been a big community booster,” McCreary said. “He has given a lot of time and money to this community and it’s no surprise that he is the one who stepped up to pay for the restoration of the sculpture.”

McCreary said the sculpture is an icon in the Gretzky centre.

“I think the location, just outside the sports hall of recognition makes it kind of special as well,” McCreary said.

The Welcome Sculpture was removed from the Gretzky Centre on Tuesday (May 13)

Repairs will be completed by a professionally-accredited conservator from Conservation of Sculptures, Monuments and Objects (CSMO).

Established in 2000, CSMO is based in Gananoque.

The repairs are expected to be completed over the next several months.

City officials are asking people to do their part to preserve the sculpture by not touching, climbing or sitting on it, when it is returned to the sports hall.

Vball@postmedia.com

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