Province approves Gordie Howe cemetery at Saskatoon arena after family requests interment

Gordie Howe's cremated remains can now be officially interred at the base of the statue that honours him at SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon.

• Family wants Gordie Howe interred in Saskatoon statue
• Gordie Howe's old Saskatoon school pays its respects on day of his funeral

On Tuesday, the City of Saskatoon received confirmation from the provincial government approving an official request it made on behalf of Howe's family,to have the statue and a small portion of land adjacent to the statue, designateda cemetery.

Howe's family approached city officials earlier this summer, saying it was their wish that the hockey star's remains be buried at the statue. Howe's late wife, Colleen, is the only other person whoseremains willbe buriedthere. She died in 2009.

Howe was born in Floral, Sask., but his family moved nine days later to Saskatoon where he grew up before embarking on a record-setting hockey career in the United States with the Detroit Red Wings.

The man nicknamed "Mr. Hockey"died on June 10 at the age of 88. In the days following his death a number of tributes were made for the NHL hall of famer including one from country music star Garth Brooks, who was performing six shows in Saskatoon the weekend Howe died.

Brooks placed 100 bouquets of flowers at the base of Howe's statue and he wore Howe's Red Wings jersey during one of his performances.