Call it a sign of things to come.
Port Alberni City Council voted for staff to proceed with preliminary cost and design work for a new sign at the entrance to Harbour Quay.
The existing sign is old, has served its purpose, and is beyond repair, Parks and Recreation Director Scott Kenny said.
The new sign will cost $15,000 to replace. There’s no money to do it in this year’s budget so council voted to build the project into its 2013 budget.
According to Kenny’s report, the problem is that the sign is made of vinyl material stretched over a metal frame. Grime has accumulated on the inside of the sign over the years and is at the point where pressure washing doesn’t even help much.
A rigid stand-alone sign was recommended. The structure would be easier to clean and would hold letters in place instead of allowing them to be moved on windy days.
Kenny suggested that the sign would be similar in appearance to the existing blue and white civic sign system.
Once established, the sign would promote the inside of Harbour Quay as you drive in, and the uptown business district, Rollin Arts Centre and Maritime Heritage Centre while driving out.
Cursory discussions have already been had about it with the Pattison Sign Group on the Lower Mainland, Kenny said.
The current capitial budget plan doesn’t accommodate the replacement. Some $25,000 was added to the operating budget this year but that’s meant for repairing the clock tower.
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