Work on Kamloops’ newest park which will feature the long awaited permanent memorial to the late Snowbirds Capt. Jenn Casey is currently underway.

The City’s Parks Manager, Jeff Putnam, says the new Fulton Field Park on Tranquille Road just past Aviation Way, will be a welcome addition to that part of Kamloops.

“You’re going to see construction work happening right now,” Putnam told Radio NL. “It is mostly earth works and then installing a concrete base for the future art installation, which we expect will be placed in later this year, with the finishing of the park in 2024.”

Aside from a rudimentary sketch of the park, the City hasn’t released many details about what the memorial will look like. Putnam said he wasn’t able to disclose what the memorial will look like, but he said it would be significant.

“I don’t think I’m allowed to talk about size and shape but I can say its significant and its emotional and its something that Kamloopsians are going to be very proud of when they see it,” Putnam said. “For that part of town, it’ll be a really nice space to come and learn about why its a memorial park.”

“[The finished park] would include some trees, some seating areas, some picnic areas, some really poignant information about Jennifer Casey and the Memorial Park. Lots of exciting work happening this fall and into next spring.”

Construction on the so-called Tranquille Gateway Improvements Project – which also includes beautification and infrastructure upgrades and a new multi-use pathway between the SPCA office and Crestline Street is expected to wrap up by the end of this year.

While Putnam says the artwork is expected to be installed this year, Barbara Berger, the City’s Recreation, Social Development, and Culture Manager, told Radio NL she was not anticipating an unveiling of the memorial this fall.

Capt. Casey was killed when the Snowbird Tutor jet she was in crashed shortly after takeoff from Kamloops Airport in May of 2020.

An investigation later concluded that Snowbird 11 lost power after a small bird was sucked into the engine shortly after take-off from Kamloops Airport.