The Rise Memorial Gardens, at Knowles Park at the corner of Bernard Avenue and Ethel Street, will be dedicated at 10 a.m. to Cailen Vilness, Jared Zook, Eric Stemmer, Patrick Stemmer, and Brad Zawislak.聽
They died when a crane fell apart as it was being taken down from a Kelowna high-rise on July 12, 2021.聽
鈥淭his memorial stands to ensure their memories live on, but also offers the community a future space for grieving and healing from the impacts of any workplace accident that may ever occur in the future,鈥 states a release from the group that spearheaded construction of the memorial.聽
鈥淚t will also serve as a stark reminder to all of us of the importance of making a continued commitment to workplace safety each and every day,鈥 they say.
Those scheduled to speak at the memorial鈥檚 dedication include NDP Minister of Labour Jennifer Whiteside and Kelowna Mayor Tom Dyas. The city has contributed toward the memorial鈥檚 construction.聽
The crane that collapsed was owned by Salmon Arm-based Stemmer Construction and it was working on a high-rise being built by Kelowna-based Mission Group.聽
In connection with the crane collapse, police have recommended a charge of criminal negligence causing death be laid, but they haven鈥檛 said against who or what company. The BC Prosecution Service has yet to make any decision on the matter.聽