The Great Canadian Flag Project is ready to put the shovel in the ground after receiving a $150,000 grant from the Canada 150 Fund.
"It's a great way to celebrate our identity as Canadians and a great way to celebrate the rights and freedoms that we all enjoy," says Chair Peter Hrastrovec. "As a result of today and the announcement we made with respect to the money we are getting from the federal government it means we are definitely on a go forward basis."
The flag pole will be 150 ft tall and will measure 60 ft by 30 ft wide. It will be erected at the base of Ouellette Ave. at the entrance to Dieppe Gardens.
Hrastrovec says logistics of the construction still need to be worked out with the City of Windsor.
"The goal with respect to the funds we received from the federal government are that we have to spend the money by next year so clearly we want to get started. When you see the work being done it will take eight or nine weeks to get the pole up," says Hrastrovec.
The committee hopes to have the flag up by Flag Day February 15, 2017.
The Canada 150 Fund is funded through the Department of Canadian Heritage in honour of Canada's 150th birthday in 2017.
In addition to the Government of Canada grant the Windsor-Essex Community raised $126,000 for the project. The group still intends to raise another $80,000 for the flag maintenance funds to replace the giant flag, which will need to be done approximately every 18 months. Donations can be made through the Windsor-Essex Community Foundation.
