The Llewellyn Keats Memorial Park will soon be the beneficiary of a $15,000 facelift through funds provided by the provincial government. Minister Kevin O’Brien, MHA for Gander, was on hand for the unveiling ceremony to make the announcement.
The money will go towards new playground equipment in the park, a new cook house, and other improvements. The cook house will also be renamed the Gregory Powell Cook House in honour of a Benton resident who known for his love of cooking.
Other sites will also be named in honour of deceased residents of the community.
A new community library, set to be unveiled Sept. 11, will be named after the late Alva Humby, who was known to be fond of reading. The community centre will be called the Gerry Osmond Memorial Community Centre, the playground will be the Winston Barrett Memorial Playground, and the ball field will be renamed the Grant Reynolds Memorial Ball Field.
The Saturday morning ceremony was attended by Llewellyn’s mother, who due to her deteriorating eyesight had to feel the monument in order to get a sense of how it appeared.
“To see her here Saturday feeling his face and crying, it was heartbreaking,” said Kevin Keats.
Joy Smith, a fellow resident, said Llewellyn’s entire family has been very supportive of the memorial. Mr. Keats added Llewellyn’s father visited the memorial last Tuesday – the first time he had been near the park since the accident 31 years ago.
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