INNISFAIL -- Town council has approved a budget of more than $263,000 for Phase 2 of the Wayfinding Signage Program for the community.
The issue was brought to council at its regular meeting on March 25. The town is currently winding down on Phase 1 of its Wayfinding signage project, which saw 17 new modern signs go up at several locations around town at a cost of $128,210.
In a report to council on March 25, administration noted the original $334,000 budget for the project was previously approved by council earlier this year but asked council to consider several changes, including a $40,000 expenditure for a gateway sign planned for the southwest corner of the Main Street and Highway 2A intersection.
The removal of the $40,000 cost was proposed as the town has entered into discussions with the Innisfail & District Chamber of Commerce to partner with the installation and cost of a modern electronic entranceway sign at the site, a project that could see the town spending at least $40,000 in a cost-sharing deal with the chamber.
Chamber officials made a presentation to council last November about the electronic entranceway sign, and whether the town was interested in a partnership. Council was presented with a plan that could ultimately see a new modern electronic sign with a decorative base, up to a dozen feet tall and feature a two-minute loop of 20 local business ads and community events.
Town officials said talks between staff and chamber officials on the electronic sign project are ongoing.
In the meantime, administration recommended other changes for the Phase 2 budget, including removing nine proposed trailhead signs with concrete bases signage at a $90,000 budgeted cost. Council was told this item could be included in a new project, tentatively known as Phase 3 -- for town trails and brought back for council's consideration for the 2020 budget.
Council was also asked to add a sign to the entrance of Highway 54 and 42nd Street at a cost of $18,000, another for the Innisfail Curling Rink that will cost $3,500, and to approve the replacement of the community billboard sign along 42nd Street near the Innisfail Aquatic Centre with a new modern one at a cost of $12,000.
Council approved all of administration's recommended budget changes, and the project's budget was set at $263,584. This new replacement cost will be funded from the town's recreation and culture reserves.
Phase 2 of the Wayfinding sign project is expected to begin mid or late summer.
