INNISFAIL - Phase 2 of the town's Wayfinding Signage Project will soon start and the final bill will be less than half of what was expected.
At town council's regular meeting on May 27, administration presented contract bids for the project. The town posted a request for proposals on April 12. Eight bids were received and they ranged from $87,058 to $220,358.
"The previous estimate was almost double that because the previous estimate was based on a previous contract that was higher. The bid on this one actually came in nicely low. Pleasantly surprised there," said Rod Fraser, the town's director of operational services.
Council ultimately approved the $87,058 bid from PM Signs.
Last April council approved a budget of $263,584 for the project, which was also a decrease from an original $334,000 projection.
The significant savings from the project has enabled the town to utilize those unexpected monies for other projects, notably $50,000 that has been earmarked for the new digital electronic sign near the intersection of Highway 2A and Main Street.
Earlier this year the town completed Phase 1 of the project, which saw 17 new modern signs go up at several locations around town at a cost of $128,210.
Fraser said the second phase, which will start in July and finish by the fall, will see more than 20 additional signs go up at various locations throughout the town.
Fraser said the second phase is a continuation of the first that will direct visitors to any of the town's many facilities, from the Arena to the public library, as well as the curling rink, library and historical village.
Once Phase 2 is completed council is expected to consider a final signage project, tentatively known as Phase 3 — for town trails, for the 2020 budget.
