The Golden Boy is celebrating a special birthday.

It was 100 years ago, on November 21, 1919,  that the Golden Boy was placed atop the dome at the Manitoba Legislative Building.

"The statue is positioned to face north and symbolizes the province’s prosperity and entrepreneurial spirit.” said Central Services Minister Reg Helwer.

French artist Georges Gardet sculpted the statue, cast in bronze during the First World War. The Golden Boy had a lengthy journey to Manitoba; placed in the hold of a cargo ship commandeered to transport troops and supplies for the war effort, the statue toured the Mediterranean Sea and made five trans-Atlantic crossings before its final destination.

The 5.25 metre statue was first gilded with 23.5-karat gold leaf in 1951 and last returned to ground level in 2002 during a restoration project to the tower and dome, where he was repaired and displayed at The Manitoba Museum.

Helwer noted the province is finalizing plans for further building restorations not included in 2002.  Earlier this year, the Manitoba government announced $10 million each year for the next 15 years to repair and preserve the Manitoba Legislative Building, its grounds and associated infrastructure.

The first phase is expected to include masonry repairs and revitalization on the north side of the building, as well as some main entrance façade improvements to be completed by 2020.