Open Houses to Gather Ideas for Memorial

Three open houses over the next two weeks will gather public input on the location, design and funding of a memorial to the victims of the crash of Swissair Flight 111.

An advisory committee will use ideas and suggestions from these open houses in making final decisions on the memorial. Committee members will also consider public input made through letters, phone calls, fax and e-mail.

Former chief justice Lorne Clarke, chair of the committee, said the wishes and needs of the families will be important considerations in any decision. He said he hopes the memorial will bring some measure of peace to those who were close to the tragedy.

"The memorial will honour the memories of the men, women and children who died in the crash of Swissair Flight 111," Mr. Clarke said. "It will recognize all who were affected by the tragedy and pay tribute to those who helped in so many ways after the crash."

Times and locations of the open houses are:

• Wednesday, Feb. 3, 7 p.m., District 1 Blandford Community Centre, 30 Fire Hall Rd., Blandford

• Thursday, Feb. 4, 7 p.m., East St. Margarets Bay Elementary School auditorium, Highway 333, Indian Harbour

• Wednesday, Feb. 10, 7 p.m., Tower Road School auditorium, 945 Tower Rd., Halifax

Anyone unable to attend the open houses but wishing to offer ideas may do so by:

• fax: 1-902-424-0452
• phone: 1-902-424-4883
• e-mail: flight111@gov.ns.ca
• the Internet: www.gov.ns.ca/flight111
• mail:
  Government of Nova Scotia
  Coordination and Planning Secretariat, Flight 111
  P.O. Box 2732
  Suite 520, Canada Trust Building
  1718 Argyle St.
  Halifax, N.S. B3J 3P7

The memorial advisory committee is part of the Coordination and Planning Secretariat, Flight 111. The Province of Nova Scotia established the secretariat in November to deal with provincial government matters related to the Swissair tragedy. The secretariat also acts as a resource for the victims' families and for Nova Scotians who require information.