'Knew we could perfect it:' Jackson-based company, part of Waukesha Christmas parade memorial construction, awaits unveiling next week

WAUKESHA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Nov. 21 will mark three years since a vehicle drove through the Waukesha Christmas parade route, killing six and physically injuring more than 60 others.

Since then, the community has come together to take steps toward healing, including working to create permanent memorials. A memorial at Grede Park will include a large heart sculpture, benches, a tile wall made up of tiles created by the community, plaques for each of the deceased victims, as well as trees and landscaping.

Clay Knapp, an assistant project manager at COST of Wisconsin, was part of the team behind the work to create the centerpiece of the memorial, where six ribbons representing the six victims come together to form a heart.

“There was a lot of excitement early on of building this and how we were going to construct it," Knapp said. “It’s something I thought about from the beginning and all the time while we were doing this, how important it is for the community.”

Knapp says he remembers the day the parade happened and said he felt it was important for him to be part of this project. 

“We have a couple of employees here who live in the Waukesha area and were there, and it’s very near and dear to their heart," Knapp said. “I remember it because it was the day my daughter was born. I remember seeing it on the news and it hit me pretty hard, so this is pretty important for me to be a part of.”

COST of Wisconsin President Mike Schmuhl said the Jackson-based company donated $50,000 to the project. 

“We knew we could accomplish this project and perfect it," Schmuhl said. “We want to be involved and show we care about the community.”

COST of Wisconsin is one of many entities that contributed donations to the memorial. 

Rebecca Pederson, communications and engagement manager with the city of Waukesha, said 772 donors were involved - 128 of those donors were businesses, and donations came from 34 states.

A dedication ceremony to open the memorial to the public will take place on Thursday, Nov. 21, at 4:39 p.m.

More information on the memorial and the list of donors who helped make this project possible is available here.