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BRONZE STATUE OF WALLENDA?

By Frank Parlato

Mayor Diodati and Nik Wallenda

Mayor Paul Dyster gave Nik Wallenda the key to the city, a generous speech and a hearty handclasp. 
Now Niagara Falls, Ont., Mayor Jim Diodati wants to see a bronze sculpture of Wallenda erected near Table Rock, marking the point where Wallenda stepped off the cable on June 15.

“I don’t know what it would cost or who would do it,” Mayor Diodati said.  “We can’t let what happened here just fade away. It was the most watched event in the world that night. We have to build on that.”

Mayor Diodati said he envisions the statue depicting Wallenda walking on a wire with his balance pole. People could take photos as if they were walking on the wire next to the statue.

“The pictures would be on Twitter, Facebook, you name it. Niagara Falls would be out there constantly. It would be incredible,” he said.

The Niagara Parks Commission manages the area, Table Rock, Mayor Diodati would have Wallenda’s statue. Chairwoman Janice Thomson seemed cool to the idea. She said the NPC plans to have a plaque placed near Table Rock. And, on the boardwalk along Whirlpool Rapids, the NPC will install informational boards paying tribute to daredevils and Wallenda. 

Mr. Wallenda, on his website www.nikwallenda.com, wrote, “All my fans, please know that this statue idea was not mine, just posting a link as I was requested to! I am honored by the thought.”

 

 

Niagara Falls Reporter www.niagarafallsreporter.com July 10 , 2012