New sculpture unveiled at Laurentian University
It was a celebratory scene at Laurentian University on Wednesday as officials unveiled the latest sculpture that will stand permanently on school grounds.
Student-led and student-purchased, the sculpture sits on the north side of Fraser Auditorium as a reminder of the school's ongoing environmental restoration efforts.
"After the hardship Laurentian has gone through and the students have suffered, to see this really hopeful day was wonderful and for them to step up and say what they wanted," said John Gunn, director of the Vale Living with Lakes Centre.
"They want to be part of a global university, they want to keep the regreening, environmental work going and they paid for a beautiful sculpture themselves … It'll be a famous spot in Sudbury."
The sculpture is symbolic of a white pine growing through the rocks, a sight visible in many places across the region, including Killarney and the Georgian Bay.
"When you see that tree pushing its way up through a rock … it's something that we're all familiar with and we always say 'wow, how does it do that,'" Gunn said.
"I think the students are saying 'wow how can we do that and make the change to be part of a more sustainable world.'"
"We look at today as a day of renewal, it represents the resiliency of the university and we're looking forward to having Laurentian focused on environmental health and sustainability," said Anastacia Chartrand, a masters student and chair of the environmental sustainability committee.
The school's work in environmental restoration has earned them fans from across the country, including Canadian author Margaret Atwood.
"I'm more than happy to lend my voice in support of Laurentian's newest project, under the wing of the Vale Living with Lakes institute, the Climate Science parkette which I'm sure we all hope will help people better understand the actual challenges facing us," said Atwood.
"It's a fresh start and I like that people haven't given up and that they're going to move forward, especially the student body," said Ward 9 city councillor Deb McIntosh.
The sculpture will be part of a parkette that will see architecture students build a new pavilion overlooking Ramsey Lake, with help from famed architect Bruce Mau.
"I thought it was pretty cool, it's nice that we're commemorating something like the re-greening of Sudbury," said Earth Sciences student Jacob Fralick.
"We lost a lot of that capacity at Laurentian because of the CCAA and I think that this is a strong statement and dedication that we are going to build on that legacy when we talk about Laurentian's future," said researcher Nadia Mykytczuk.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
New charges for Ont. woman who previously admitted to defrauding doulas
The Brantford, Ont. woman who was previously sentenced to house arrest after admitting to deceiving doulas has been charged again in connection to a new victim.