COLD LAKE - A new vision for Memorial Park in Cold Lake North was unveiled at the Jan. 28 City of Cold Lake council meeting, as two students from Assumption Junior/Senior High School (AJSH) presented a project aimed at revitalizing the space to honour the military history of the community.
Sydney Jorgensen and Maya Asnong outlined their ambitious plan to create an interactive and educational park featuring a bilingual digital archive of military biographies.
A living tribute to military history
“We'd like to propose an interactive plaque in Memorial Park,” said Jorgensen.
Asnong explained the intent behind the initiative, stating, “The Memorial Park will be honouring the brave military members that have served and are still serving our nation.”
The students plan to install a sign with QR codes linking to biographies of Canadian soldiers from World War I and II, researched by the French Immersion Grade 12 class.
“We researched about them and got information, and then we built biographies, and then we're going to build little QR codes like the ones shown with our biographies in both English and French,” said Jorgensen.
Jorgensen also proposed planting a tree alongside a sign to create a reflective space for the community.
Digital preservation effort
To ensure the longevity of the project, Asnong requested City support in maintaining an online platform.
“To promote the sustainability of this project, we respectfully ask for the City's assistance in hosting a dedicated webpage for the QR codes on the official Cold Lake website,” she said.
“This platform would serve as a modern remembrance book, preserving the biographies and safeguarding them against the passage of time. By entrusting the maintenance of this page to the City, we can ensure that these poignant stories remain publicly accessible, and the project is firmly established for the benefit of the future generations.”
Jorgensen emphasized that the project honours the military community while fostering education, civic pride, and intergenerational connections. She expressed interest in working with the city to find a suitable location.
Inspiration behind the project
Jorgensen shared that the project was inspired by their teacher's discovery of old letters at a garage sale. Tracing the letters’ origins led to the soldier’s burial site in the Netherlands and a meaningful connection with a woman who, as a child, had witnessed a crash the soldier was involved in.
Council response
Council members engaged with the students, seeking further clarification on co-ordination efforts and the project’s scope.
“I trust that you've spoken with the branch of the Legion here to coordinate your efforts with them?” asked Coun. Bob Mattice.
Jorgensen confirmed that their teacher has touched base with the Legion.
Coun. Vicky Lefebvre asked if the project would include biographies of local military members who have served past and present.
Jorgensen explained that the project would feature both local and national military members, reflecting Cold Lake’s diverse population and its residents' connections across Canada.
Deputy Mayor Chris Vining inquired about the logistics of signage for a park project. He asked whether the content for the website would be provided by the kids, and if the signage would need to be created by the City or if the school could handle the task.
Jorgensen confirmed that the project has received funding, with their teacher securing a $1,000 grant last year, which will be used for signage and QR codes.
The request will be brought up again for discussion at a future council meeting.
