Construction on the Rise Memorial, a tribute to five men—including Kitimat’s Cailen Vilness—who tragically died in a crane collapse in downtown Kelowna on July 12, 2021, is set to begin in February.
The Rise Memorial Foundation, leading the project, has faced funding challenges after being denied a $150,000 provincial grant.
Foundation director Kelly Hutchinson explains that the grant was rejected partly due to claims of insufficient historical programming and matching funds, which she disputes.
Despite the setback, the community has raised approximately $300,000 for the memorial, with additional contingency funding provided by the City of Kelowna and Mission Group.
A contractor has also agreed to complete construction at a significantly reduced cost, keeping the $1 million project on track.
Cailen Vilness, a member of the crane crew, had just returned from Kitimat before the collapse.
His father, Chris Vilness, who also serves as the foundation’s president, says the memorial is about more than honoring the lives lost.
The memorial represents a recognition of safe work environments and a safe culture—making it much more than just a park.
Comments