A new memorial to honour Port Coquitlam hometown hero Terry Fox opened today (Friday) at BC Place Stadium.
The unveiling of Vancouver author and artist Douglas Coupland's statues at the newly refurbished Terry Fox Plaza comes two days before the 31st annual Terry Fox Runs are held across Canada.
Fox's father, Rolly, was joined by Premier Christy Clark and students from PoCo's Terry Fox secondary for the event; the students - along with kids from Renfrew, St. John's and Elsie Roy elementary schools in Vancouver - started the ceremony with a mini Terry Fox Run to the plaza.
Coupland, who was commissioned last year to create the memorial, has created four statues that appear to grow larger as Terry Fox approaches, replicating his familiar running gait during the historic cross-Canada Marathon of Hope in 1980.
"With the four running representations, Doug has captured the effort, determination and discomfort that was prevalent in every step Terry took," Rolly Fox said in a news release. "Future generations will be better able to understand and appreciate the extent to which Terry was prepared to go to help those diagnosed with cancer."
Referring to his late wife, Betty, who died in June, Rolly Fox said, "I know Terry's mom was extremely pleased and proud when Doug first shared his concept with us."
