SLT Champion's Plaza scuplture on schedule for July unveiling

Sculptor Gareth Curtiss has been busy in his Montana studio, working on the centerpiece of South Lake Tahoe's Champion Plaza at Lakeview Commons.

Curtiss creates each of the three figures separately in clay, and they'll soon be combined with the flames and ring and set to be bronzed.

The artist reworked his original plans after concerns were voiced from the community that each of the figures looked too male, and all current Olympic medalists from South Lake Tahoe are female. The new statue has a female, a male, and a third figure that could be either. They will each be reaching for the golden ring in the midst of flames.

The ring at the top is about 18" in size and will be on top of the ten-foot high, 1,500 pound bronze creation.

During the March 21 City Council meeting, South Lake Tahoe City Manager Nancy Kerry said a list is currently being compiled for the champion's names that will be etched in stone in the plaza next to the statue.

They are looking for a date at the end of July to hold a ceremony to unveil the Champion's Plaza.