“I think it’s going to be something great.”

-Michael Daab, Wapella trustee

WAPELLA — Trustees of the Wapella village board Tuesday approved construction of a ‘Wall of Honor’ in Wapella Park.  Friends of Wapella Veterans planned the wall and are supervising its construction, scheduled to be completed no later than July 1 next year.

Bryan Atwood, of Friends of Wapella Veterans, said the project would cost from $35,000-$40,000.  The wall will be completed in four phases and is being funded through donations.

TKS Construction will build the wall, Bill Spencer will serve as electrician on the project, Atwood said.  Go Graphics, LeRoy, is the graphic designer.

Atwood said a barrier would also be erected to prevent vehicles from hitting the wall, as well as signs warning children not to play on the wall.  The wall will be five feet tall.

“That five feet gives us plenty of names for our veterans,” Atwood said.  “You see where they have the POWs and Gold Star; on either side of that is the veterans’ names and the branches they served in.”

Support columns will measure about 24 inches wide with sections holding veterans’ names measuring 50 inches pillar-to-pillar, Atwood said.

The wall will be located at the entrance to the park and will be lighted at night.  Once completed, the village will assume ownership, and the ‘Wall of Honor’ will become part of the park.

“I think it’s a perfect place for it,” said trustee Michael Daab.  “And, I think it’s going to be something great.”

Although Friends of Wapella Veterans has until July 1, 2020 to complete the project, “I’m really hoping to have it done by Veterans Day,” Atwood said.

In other business, the board approved its fiscal year 2020 budget and appropriation ordinance.