Fredericton can't afford statue restoration

A New Brunswick municipality's decision to hold off on restoring a cultural landmark has upset some of its residents.

The best-laid plans of Fredericton's city council seem to have gone awry.

"Well, they made a decision years ago to commit to that and do it," said Biff Mitchell, a member of a local writers' group. "Why don't they just keep on with the original commitment?"

The group used to celebrate Robert Burns Day,Jan. 25,every year around the statue of the Scottish poet before it was taken down for restoration.

The city said it cannot afford the $80,000 needed to finish it,which angers Mitchell and other members of the Scottish community.

"It's been, what, three years that it's been gone now? I think that's an outrage," said Mitchell. "I think that's council turning its back on a very important part of the heritage of this city the Scottish heritage and it's being neglected and forgotten. I find that's an outrage."

The city has committed to paying for half the cost.

Coun. Stephen Chase said others would have to come forward with the rest.

"If we can't raise public subscriptions, then the city would have a difficult time funding the whole restoration," said Chase.

Chase said unless members of the public came forward, he'd be very surprised if the issue came up at council again.