Andy Wylie’s Vimy Lane Project in Vernon is a very old concept from history.
Before there was the Internet, or TV, or radio, a leading citizen or merchant of a town would build pieces of beauty for fellow citizens to enjoy in order to advertise.
“I want to build something beautiful dedicated to Canada,” said Wylie, a marketing major from Montreal’s Concordia University.
Back in March, Wylie undertook his Vimy Lane project at 4008-29th Street. His goal was to transform the area he lives into a shrine to one of the most historic battles of the First World War – Vimy Ridge – fought on April 9, 1917.
With the 100th anniversary approaching, Wylie began to create a memorial that is not to the glory of war, he says, but about Canadians.
“Vimy Ridge is the foundation of Canada’s international confidence,” said Wylie. “It was the turning point of the First World War and it was all Canadian.”
He has taken a wall of Rocky Mountain Transport warehouse and, with their permission and sponsorship, painted a replica of the Vimy Ridge memorial.
A sky-blue mural is slated to run the length of Vimy Lane with shipping containers with lines from the legendary Canadian First World War poem In Flanders Field painted on.
There is already one container painted with a mention to its sponsor, Rocky Mountain Transport, and Wylie would like to see more companies and organizations step forward to help sponsor the project.
He has already received support from Rocky Mountain Transport, Cloverdale Paint, Nor-Val Rentals and OK Builders.
To help Wylie with his project, call 250-540-1194.
Wylie hopes to officially open Vimy Lane during Canada’s 150th birthday celebrations on the 100th anniversary of Vimy Ridge, April 9, 2017.