PUBLIC ART PROGRAM – SERGEANT HUGH CAIRNS MONUMENT RESTORED

Saskatoon’s oldest public artwork, the Sergeant (Sgt.) Hugh Cairns Monument has been successfully restored.  While in remarkably good shape for its age, the marble sculpture required professional cleaning and repointing of its granite base.  The work was completed in October of this year as part of the City’s ongoing effort to conserve its collection of commemorations and monuments for future generations. 

The Sgt. Hugh Cairns Monument is a carved marble figure of Saskatoon’s own Hugh Cairns with a soccer ball beneath his foot and a hand on his hip, standing atop a four-piece granite base.  Engraved in the base is a 75-name honour roll of Saskatoon soccer players killed in the First World War.  The monument was installed on the south edge of Kinsmen Park in 1921, on the very field where Hugh Cairns and fellow athletes played soccer before the war.

Hugh Cairns was killed in action in France on November 2, 1918.  On November 1, 1919, he was subsequently awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery.  He was also awarded France’s highest honour, the Legion of Honour.

The City gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Government of Canada – Veterans Affairs Canada for funds granted from the Cenotaph/Monument Restoration Program.  The City would also like to thank the Military Institute of Saskatoon for supporting the grant application. 

For more information on this monument and other artworks and commemorations in the City’s collection, please visit saskatoon.ca/publicart.

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