Neil Peart memorial at Lakeside Park picks up steam
City launches online consultation for former St. Catharines resident
A plan to honour Rush drummer Neil Peart with a statue or plaque at Lakeside Park is continuing to pick up momentum.
“I think a statue would be fantastic, but that’s just me,” said St. Catharines resident Tony McLaughlin, who launched an online petition following last week’s announcement of Peart’s death from brain cancer at the age of 67.
Many of the nearly 20,000 people from all over the world who added their names to the petition as of Thursday afternoon shared McLaughlin’s opinion about the statue, adding similar comments on the change.org website.
“I am absolutely blown away that it has caught on this much,” McLaughlin said, adding the petition swelled by about 3,000 names within a few hours Thursday morning.
“It’s definitely picking up more steam.”
Meanwhile, other online initiatives have been launched adding support to the efforts to honour the iconic musician and writer who grew up in the city.
Port Dalhousie resident Chris O’Connor launched an online fundraising campaign setting a goal of $10,000 to help pay for a memorial at Lakeside Park, which Peart, also a revered lyricist, immortalized in song.
Although the fundraising campaign brought in only $160 in its first day, O’Connor called it a good start.
“Right now, there’s some momentum that we ought to capture, both locally and globally.”
Judging by the “incredible” response to McLaughlin’s petition, O’Connor said “clearly there’s a want from the community to do something.”
O’Connor, who runs a charitable organization called the O’Connor Initiative, said he chose to get involved in the hopes of raising funds to “just do something that’s right by the man.”
McLaughlin called O’Connor’s online campaign “very admirable.” However, he and O’Connor have yet to collaborate on any initiative.
“We’re just doing our own thing right now,” McLaughlin said.
The city, too, has begun looking into ways of memorializing its famous former resident.
Monday night, Mayor Walter Sendzik informed city councillors he will be bringing a motion forward to rename the pavilion at Lakeside Park in Peart’s memory.
The city has also launched an online consultation, asking for opinions about a memorial. It will continue until Jan. 24.
McLaughlin said he has been working with St. Catharines regional Coun. Kelly Edgar “very methodically, slowly, trying to figure out the best plan of attack as to what’s needed down there.”
The initiative has received some criticism from people concerned that a statue does not reflect Peart’s humility.
McLaughlin said he and Edgar plan to consult with Peart’s family, while also hoping to hear from his fellow band members Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson “before we carry on with any decisions.”
“You’re never going to please everybody,” McLaughlin said.
“We absolutely need their input before we make any decision about what needs to go down there. We don’t want to offend anyone. We want what’s best for everybody.”
He said there needs to be a balance between the wishes of Peart’s family and those of his numerous fans. O’Connor agreed.
“I think it’s just doing it in a collective and agreeable and of course respectful manner that we’re trying to achieve all this. We certainly want to do this right and do justice by our late friend,” O’Connor said.
“We want to memorialize him in a way that is appropriate, respectful and through a democratic process.”