Town of Gimli, Manitoba

Reason for Building:

Gimli Chamber of Commerce Centennial Project

A viking was chosen because of the area's large Icelandic population. Gimli means "Great Hall of Heaven" in ancient Norse mythology.

Additional Information:

The statue cost $15,000 to build as well as other expenses associated with it. The President of Iceland, Asgeir Asgeirsson, unveiled the statue on July 30, 1967

That is Lake Winnipeg behind the first picture. Pictured in the second is Samson Yee. George Babak provided the following photo:

The late George Barone also created the following sculptures:
Sharp-Tailed Grouse (Ashern, MB), Skier (McCreary, MB), White Horse (St. Francois Xavier, MB), Camel (Glenboro, MB), Turtle (Boissevain, MB), Winnie the Pooh (White River, ON).

Information Source:

Information Source: Town of Gimli and Canada's Gigantic! by Henri Robideau

Picture Sources: George Babak and DMY