The City of Port Alberni will finally be getting a new welcome sign.
Back in 2021, Port Alberni council approved a new “Welcome to Port Alberni” sign that had been designed by Beaver Creek resident and artist Susan Roth. However, when the sign was put out to tender it came back significantly over budget.
City staff have now modified the design to reduce the cost. The design is a dark green metal sign with trees on either side and a black bear in one corner.
READ MORE: Graphic artist’s metal sign design draws interest from Alberni council
“It’s still going to have a bit of a 3D effect, however it’s going to be less than the original [design],” explained city CAO Mike Fox during a regular meeting of council on Monday, April 22. The original design had around five to six feet of depth, while the new design has been compacted to about one foot of depth.
Initial estimates for the cost of concrete came in at more than $60,000, so staff decided to fasten the sign on a large, flat rock instead. A design amendment has also been made to acknowledge the unceded territories of the Hupacasath and Tseshaht First Nations.
The city has already received approval from the province to place the sign at the city’s entrance, near Walmart on Johnston Road and John Street.
While city staff said the sign could be installed at the Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Centre instead, city council agreed on Monday that the John Street and Johnston Road intersection is the best place for the sign. The Visitor Centre is technically located outside of city limits.
“I know that tourists don’t necessarily care where the entry to our community is, but I see that entrance to our commercial district as really where we start taking care of our community in a different way, where we’re able to control the appearances,” explained Mayor Sharie Minions.
Council originally budgeted $25,000 for the sign in 2020, and to date $23,194 remains in that budget. City staff say they are confident the sign will be produced and installed within budget.
Council did not discuss the city’s old welcome sign, which used to be located at the Visitor Centre. The carved wooden structure has been in storage for more than 10 years, although city council has previously expressed a desire to put the sign back up as a piece of public artwork.
READ MORE: City of Port Alberni looks to restore historic sign