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It will feature a “bosquet” — a formal plantation of trees — and individual elements to commemorate each of the victims, as recommended by their families.

A plaque in the centre will tell the story of the monument and the 91 people from Barrhaven who were on the bus that day, Harder said.

Only the driver, Dave Woodard, was not from Barrhaven — a community Harder says is still reeling from the tragedy.

In addition to Woodard, the crash claimed the lives of Connor Boyd, Kyle Nash, Karen Krzyzewski, Michael Bleakney and Rob More.

More’s father, Michael, and mother, Julie, were involved in the consultation process of the memorial design.

Michael said Wednesday they met with city staff recently to go over the drawings, and they are pleased with the end result.

“We were quite happy with what they had come up with,” he said. “There are six separate little memorial areas and those will be set up according to the wishes of the various families; they get some input as to what is involved with it.”

He says having a place to go to remember loved ones is a good idea. His family already has a place to gather given Rob’s grandfather and aunt donated a bench to the Canada Agricultural and Food Museum in his memory.

“We can go there and sit and think about him, but some of the others may not have this and this is another place we can go,” said More.

Harder says the location is suitable because it’s private, there is parking and transit nearby, and it’s the safest possible location close to the site. An impromptu memorial has been set up near the crossing.

She and Mayor Jim Watson had hoped the $125,000 memorial would be finished by the end of June, but it’s now more likely to be done by Thanksgiving.

“This is going to be a very sacred place for them to go and reflect upon the lost lives,” Watson said.

Watson said the city has not heard when the Transportation Safety Board plans to release its final report on the crash.

with files from Paula McCooey

mpearson@ottawacitizen.com

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