A memorial arch erected in honour of a man killed in a hit-and-run incident in Parksville last year has been taken down due to the structure not having the proper permit.
The man’s family has asked that his name not be further circulated, but did want to honour him. They said they “chose to ask for forgiveness and grace rather than permission with this arch, [because] of the circumstances as they are.”
READ MORE: One year later, still no news on 2019 fatal hit-and-run incident in Parksville
City officials said they have been in contact with the family but were not able to let the structure remain.
“Unfortunately due to the potential liability to those people using the park and beach, we are not able to allow the memorial arch to remain. We have advised the person making the request and the structure will be dismantled. We do understand this is a sad time, the one-year anniversary of the passing of [the victim],” said the manager of communications for the city, Deb Tardiff on Tuesday.
The family said they were disappointed the city decided to take it down, rather than working with them to find a solution.
“I had faith in the kindness of Parksville to do the right thing by understanding this isn’t just an unsolved case. This is the change agent to the rules of decency,” they said.