Seven years later, work continues to memorialize 2017-18 Humboldt Broncos

It was on this day in 2018 that the Broncos team bus and a semi collided at the intersection of Highways 35 and 335, near Tisdale, resulting in 16 deaths and injuring 13 others, all of them occupants of the bus.

A news release from the City of Humboldt, posted on its website two days prior to the anniversary, provided an update on the crash site memorial: “The committee is working to secure a paving contract this spring to complete phase 1 of the crash site memorial project. The first phase will enhance the site and ensure it remains a dignified space for reflection and remembrance for years to come. Last October, site preparation began with earth moving, creation of pathways, and a sitting area. The Memorial site is located 170 km northeast of Humboldt at the intersection of Highway 35 and 335 near Tisdale.

As the committee moves forward with design plans for phase 2 of the memorial, they invite anyone with ideas for the project to submit them on the Humboldt Broncos Tribute Campaign website. Phase 2 will focus on a monument in honour of the 16 who lost their lives and the 13 others forever impacted. “

The City also gave an update on the Tribute Centre project: “The Humboldt Tribute Centre project is intended to serve as a dedicated facility to honor the 2017-18 Broncos team, and to display many of the items that the community received from around the world in the weeks and months after the tragedy. While the project was not successful in receiving a significant construction grant initially, the Memorial Committee is supporting a local initiative to engage the Humboldt community on ideas for designing, funding, and building the next recreational facility. The plan is to respectfully integrate an appropriate tribute space within this new facility.”

Anyone wishing to volunteer or contribute financially to the memorial campaign can go online to broncostributecampaign.com.