Gaglardi Square Entrance Arch - Kamloops, BC - Freestanding Arches on Waymarking.com

This wrought iron arch marks the main entrance to Gaglardi Square. Within the double tubing which defines the arch is the name "Gaglardi Square", of steel lettering, powder coated gold or brass in colour.

The plaza/park is a lovely place to sit and munch on one's lunch, as evidenced by the number of natives found doing that very thing of a summer noontime. There are several benches arrayed around a large fountain in the centre of the park, the rest a well planned riot of colour and shrubbery. Naturally, there is a statue of "Flyin Phil" himself just inside the main entrance, with dedication plaques affixed. To one side of the park is St. Andrews on the Square, built in 1887 as a Presbyterian Church and now the oldest public building in town.

Gaglardi Square

Philip Arthur Gaglardi (January 13, 1913 – September 23, 1995), sometimes known as Flyin’ Phil or even Sorry Phil, was a politician in the Canadian province of British Columbia. He served as Minister of Highways in the BC government from 1952 to 1968.

He was first elected to the legislature in the 1952 election as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) as part of the British Columbia Social Credit League. The party had enough seats to form a minority government, but had no leader. Gaglardi ran for the post, but lost in a vote of caucus members by 10 to 9 to W.A.C. Bennett. Gagliardi became a leading member of Bennett’s cabinet.

His term as Minister of Highways was marked by rapid expansion of the province’s paved road system, as well as the completion of most of the major road bridges in British Columbia.

He is probably mostly remembered for his flamboyant style. He was first noted for the “Sorry for the delays” signs he had put up at road construction areas (hence, “Sorry Phil”).

What really got him noticed was how he managed to convince a reluctant W.A.C. Bennett to buy the government a Lear jet (hence, “Flyin’ Phil”). Premier Bennett was travelling in a newly inaugurated government-owned ferry to Prince Rupert. To demonstrate that the ferry was too slow for government business, he convinced a pilot friend to fly him to Prince Rupert in a Lear jet, thereby managing to get there before Bennett did. Gaglardi waited on the dock to greet the Premier with a purchase contract for the plane. The plane was quickly purchased.

Another explanation of Gaglardi’s nickname was his propensity for getting speeding tickets whilst driving in large American cars around the province checking on the progress of road construction.

He was forced to resign in 1968 over allegations he flew relatives in the government jet.

Subsequent to his political career, Gaglardi ran a successful hotel chain in Western Canada known as the Sandman Inns.
From Kamloops 360