The iconic bronze statue of hockey legend Dale Hawerchuk received its annual maintenance and restoration work on Friday, as sculptor Erik Blome traveled from Chicago to personally oversee the refurbishment process. The statue, prominently displayed in Winnipeg's True North Square, underwent comprehensive care including cleaning, heating, waxing, and color restoration to maintain its pristine appearance.

Blome, the original artist behind the impressive sculpture, explained the meticulous process during a brief break from his work. "I'm cleaning it, heating it up, waxing it, and adding some color back in," he said, emphasizing the importance of regular maintenance for outdoor bronze sculptures. The restoration work is part of an annual maintenance schedule designed to protect the artwork from both environmental damage and vandalism.

The statue, which was officially unveiled in 2022, requires yearly recoating to shield it from graffiti and Winnipeg's notoriously harsh winter weather conditions. Blome highlighted the particular challenges posed by the city's extreme climate, noting that the intense weather conditions significantly accelerate the aging process of outdoor sculptures. "When you have like this kind of intense weather compared to other places, it's like one year is five years," he explained. "So you must do it every year to keep it safe, to keep it protected."

The Chicago-based sculptor brings extensive experience in creating sports monuments, having crafted dozens of statues outside hockey arenas across North America. His impressive portfolio includes the notable sculptures displayed outside Toronto's Scotiabank Arena, as well as the celebrated Wayne Gretzky sculpture that stands outside the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. This expertise in sports sculpture makes Blome uniquely qualified to maintain the Hawerchuk memorial.

The Dale Hawerchuk statue serves as a lasting tribute to one of Winnipeg's most beloved hockey icons, and the annual maintenance ensures that this important piece of public art continues to honor his legacy for years to come. The careful attention to preservation demonstrates the community's commitment to maintaining this significant cultural landmark in downtown Winnipeg's bustling True North Square.