Right now, the lane that horseshoes Andy Wylie’s Vernon property at 4008-29th Street is non-descript.
There’s unraked leaves, dirt roads, a rusted storage container and high grass.
In a year from now, Wylie will have changed that look into what he calls a world-class tourist attraction, a site that will commemorate one of Canada’s great moments in its history.
Wylie is in the midst of creating Vimy Lane, a shrine to Vimy Ridge, one of the most historic battles of the First World War, fought on April 9, 1917.
“That’s the day Canada became truly independent, a nation strong and free,” said Wylie, a marketing major from Montreal’s Concordia University.
“Vimy Ridge was the turning point of the First World War, from trench stalemate to the first Allied victory. It was the First World War’s D-Day and it was Canadian.
“The Canadian corps that stormed Vimy Ridge on that Easter Monday in the fields of northern France was unrivaled, unbeaten and absolutely unstoppable.”
Wylie will unveil his concept for the lane onsite at a special block party on Saturday, April 9 – the 99th anniversary of Vimy Ridge – from 2 to 4 p.m.
There will be live music and refreshments.
Wylie’s vision for Vimy Lane will include a replica of the actual Vimy Ridge Memorial from France outlined in white on a sky-blue base, on the west end of the Rocky Mountain Transport’s warehouse. This is what Wylie calls the “heart of the memorial.”
“I hope to build a replica made of wood donated by a Vernon-based business that can eventually be moved to a park,” he said.
A sky-blue mural will run the full length of Vimy Lane starting with shipping containers with lines from the legendary Canadian First World War poem In Flanders Field painted on.
Wylie has already started the lane with commemorative flags from various countries, including Canada’s first flag.
“Vimy Lane will be a Vernon landmark, a tourist attraction for the hotels and downtown,” he said. “It will be a renaissance garden in the heart of Vernon for all to enjoy.”
A special part of the block party will be to honour the memory of the 125 Vernon soldiers who died in the First World War.
Wylie, with help from the public and area students, will paint 125 maple leafs to represent each Vernon soldier lost in the Great War.
At the block party, 50 maple leafs will be available to be painted for a minimum $5 donation. The remaining 75 are reserved for high school students who are invited to submit essays on the lives of any famous Canadian they wish to write about.
“The students with the best essays will be invited to a future event(s) to dedicate a maple leaf in Vimy Lane,” said Wylie, who has received support for his project from Bill and Gerry Sengotta of Rocky Mountain Transport, Jed and Simon Astin who own neighbouring apartments, residents of 29th Street and from the Ultimate Social Club.
“Vimy Lane is celebrating Canadiana,” said Guy Bailey of the Ultimate Social Club.
“This is a huge bonus for Vernon. It’s an honour to recognize what happened in the First World War. With Canada celebrating its 150th birthday in 2017, it’s the perfect time for all of us to celebrate and be thankful.
“This lane will look totally different when Andy’s done but it’s his vision and it’s going to happen.”
If all goes according to plan, Vimy Lane will officially open during Canada’s 150th birthday celebrations on the 100th anniversary of Vimy Ridge, April 9, 2017.
“Vimy Lane is my way of giving thanks to the country that has given me so much,” said Wylie.