PORT COQUITLAM, BC – Sept. 17, 2021… A familiar likeness of Canadian icon Terry Fox will inspire those starting this year’s virtual hometown run from Hyde Creek Recreation Centre in Port Coquitlam Sunday.

The Terry Fox sculpture that formerly stood at Wilson Avenue and Mary Hill Road has been removed from storage and will be installed today on a new granite base near the flagpole at Hyde Creek Recreation Centre, which has hosted the annual Terry Fox Hometown Run since 1985. The statue’s placement in its permanent home comes just in time for the virtual Terry Fox Hometown Run on Sept. 19.

“We’ve been working closely with the Fox family and believe this is a fitting home for this iconic statue honouring our hometown hero,” Mayor Brad West said. “For more than 35 years, people have come together at Hyde Creek each September to keep Terry Fox’s legacy alive. Terry always encouraged others to do their best, and now his statue can inspire everyone who takes part in our annual hometown run to raise funds and awareness in his name – beginning with this year’s safe virtual event.” 

To make way for the construction of the Port Coquitlam Community Centre (PCCC), the statue was removed in September 2019 by a company specializing in moving fine art and placed in secure storage. The statue was carved and donated to Port Coquitlam by B.C. artist George Pratt, an accomplished stone carver currently living on the Sunshine Coast, and installed at the former Terry Fox Library at its opening in August 1983. 

The statue’s installation at Hyde Creek adds to the other recognition for Terry Fox in Port Coquitlam, including Terry Fox Secondary, Terry Fox Library and the annual Terry Fox Hometown Run typically attended by thousands. 

“Finding a permanent home for the sculpture was just the first step in our plans to honour Terry Fox in his hometown,” West said. “More will be unveiled on Oct. 2 at the grand opening of the Port Coquitlam Community Centre. I encourage everyone to join us that afternoon to learn about how we’ll be commemorating this great Canadian hero, role model and source of pride in our community.”

To protect public health, this year’s Terry Fox Run on Sept. 19 will again take place virtually. In keeping with the 2021 theme “Terry Fox Run. One Day. Your Way,” participants are encouraged to mark the day in whatever way they wish – such as run, walk, roll, hike or dance – and at the time and location of their choosing, while raising funds for cancer research. 

For more information about the Terry Fox Run or to register online, visit portcoquitlam.ca/terryfox.

Information about the PCCC grand opening on Oct. 2, when the City will unveils additional plans to commemorate Terry Fox, can be found at portcoquitlam.ca/pccc.

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MEDIA CONTACTS

Ximena Ibacache
Manager of Communications & Administrative Services
City of Port Coquitlam
Tel 604.927.5499
Email ibacachex@portcoquitlam.ca