After more than two and a half decades since building the Innisfail Twin Arena the town has finally decided to give the facility large, glitzy modern-day exterior signage.
At town council's regular meeting on July 25, Henry Wong, the town's community services director, proposed giving the Arena its first-ever major exterior electronic signage at a cost of $37,081.
Wong told council that administration's recommended bid from Selkirk Signs would supply and install an LED illuminated Innisfail Twin Arena sign that would measure 18 inches (one and half feet) high by 120 inches (10 feet) wide. He added the offered electronic display/message board underneath the sign would be 5 feet 3 inches high by 10 feet 6 inches wide. Council was told software is included with the message board.
Wong said installation comes with a five-year hardware warranty and email/telephone technical support.
Council unanimously approved administration's recommendation.
Mayor Brian Spiller noted the Arena, which was officially opened on Nov. 23, 1990, has never had proper exterior signage on the front of the building, other than a small cedar framed one at the front that acknowledges the building's opening date, as well as Scott Builders, the company that constructed the facility.
“Yes, it is probably long overdue. Everybody in town knows what it is but we do host a lot of events in town. People come in and want to know where the arena is. If you had arena signage it just makes it easier for people to find their way,” said Spiller. “You're driving by right now and there is no cars in the parking lot and you could wonder what that building is if you were not from town.
“You might go, ‘gee, that could be the arena but there is no sign on the outside, no black silhouetted shadows of a hockey player or a figure skater,'” added the mayor.
Council was told the message board will promote activities at the Arena, but won't be used for commercial purposes at this time.
The budgeted amount for the new signage was $35,000. With the actual cost coming in at just over $37,000, council approved a motion for a budget adjustment of $2,081, with the funds coming from 2015 provincial Municipal Sustainability Initiative funds.
Mayor Brian Spiller
"Yes, it is probably long overdue. You're driving by right now and there is no cars in the parking lot and you could wonder what that building is if you were not from town."
