As work continues on the hotel development work next to the Leicester Tigers stadium, the club can now provide an update on plans for the Foundation Monument.
The last 12 months have been particularly testing for the Leicester Tigers Foundation, with the impact of a year-long lockdown including suspension of its operations in the community and cancellation of its fundraising events.
Now, though, there is finally some light at the end of the tunnel with a fresh start to a number of its activities in education and inclusion within our community.
Also, among other plans, the Foundation is moving on with proposals for the Monument on the main reception side of Mattioli Woods Welford Road and the new plaza area in front of the hotel which is springing up there.
Due to a lack of funding and the impact of Covid-19 on finances, some changes have been made to the original plans but, after the board of trustees took advice from monument visionary and sculptor Harvey Gardiner, a solution has been agreed which will be both deliverable in the proposed timescale and able to still do the project the justice it deserves.
The design will now see one giant bronze tiger head – raised approximately 18 feet high – standing proudly on a new Tigers Plaza in front of the hotel.
This will allow the Foundation to not only honour the 51 former players who lost their lives in conflict but also show the names and messages from everyone who made it possible on quality plaques in keeping with the Monument design.
Foundation trustee Chris Rose said: “With regards to seeing the Monument erected, we are still within the hands of our supportive building partners, Marshalls, who have kindly agreed to create the foundations and services needed while working on the hotel plaza.
“With all work currently on track, it is estimated that this will be complete by the end of summer 2021, although given the working environment and unpredictable nature of life at present, we aware things can still change.”
The plan is to have the monument in place very soon after completion of that work.
The Foundation sends it thanks to everyone who has supported plans for the monument from the very beginning for their generosity, patience and co-operation while also looking forward to seeing a wonderful tribute to the people it stands to represent in the very near future.
