‘This matters to me’: Wife of fallen Mountie concerned about future of N.B. memorial

Moncton’s master plan for the riverfront could affect a memorial for RCMP officers.

Nadine Larche is speaking out about the future of a monument site that honours the memory of her late husband and two other police officers who were killed in the line of duty more than a decade ago.

Larche spoke to Moncton City Council late Monday afternoon about her concerns with development plans for the riverfront area and what that might mean for the Honour Garden area.

“I have serious concerns about initial proposals placing active recreational uses besides this space such as pump tracks, essentially a skateboard park, but for bikes, a splash area or a playground. I’ve also heard suggestions about moving the monument, which I strongly oppose,” said Larche.

Shane Porter, the city’s director of events and venues, doesn’t see moving the monument as a possibility.

“Of course, when you’re doing a project like this, you kick over every stone, you try every different option and you really have to pick them apart. But there was no time where we thought that was ever something that would be put into place,” said Porter.

Last fall, the city unveiled its riverfront master plan, a long-term vision to make the area more active and accessible.

The plan includes upgrades to trails and green spaces along the Petitcodiac River, but some of those changes could be decades away.

Larche is concerned future plans may include new development near the RCMP memorial and she wants the area to be treated with respect and care.

“The area immediately surrounding a monument honouring three fallen police officers should remain a quiet place,” Larche told council during a five-minute speech.

The Honour Garden was created to remember Larche’s husband Const. Doug Larche as well as Const. Dave Ross and Const. Fabrice Gevaudan.

The three Mounties were shot and killed in north end Moncton on June 4, 2014.

“That day was one of the darkest in our community’s history. Many remain affected,” she said. “As many of you know, one of the police officers killed that day was my husband Const. Doug Larche. That’s why this matters to me.”

Larche said she supports a vibrant riverfront while ensuring the monument remains a peaceful and reflective place.

“While I know that the riverfront master plan has not yet been formally adopted, planning does guide future decisions. For that reason, I wanted to state clearly that I do not support the original concept for the area surrounding Honour Garden,” said Larche.

Larche is lobbying for some sort of clear and formalized protection for the area surrounding the monument.

The city has been working with Trace Design, the lead consultant on the riverfront project.

The plan is still being finalized and has yet to come to council for approval.

Porter said Larche’s feedback is important and mentioned all three wives of the three fallen RCMP members have met with the city’s consultant on the project.

“This is the time where you throw out all kinds of ideas and some of them work with the public and some of them do not,” said Porter. “When things don’t work, we have time to adjust.”

It’s important to remember, Porter said, that once a plan is finalized there’s still a consultation process before shovels go in the ground.

“There’s lots of opportunity even if the plan doesn’t spell something out to everybody’s liking. We still have time,” he said. “The implantation of this plan is going to take many years and is that the area where we’re likely going to start? Likely not.”

Porter said a finalized plan would likely be brought to council in the coming months.

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