How much should we spend for an entrance sign for Squamish?
Council has budgeted $100,000 for a new sign to replace the one at the south entrance that was destroyed in a traffic accident in 2012. That’s in addition to $100,000 budgeted this year for wayfinding signs.
Since The Squamish Chief reported the figures, many people have expressed outrage. For taxpayers, $100,000 for a welcome sign is a lot to swallow. “Sorry, $100K? For a sign? How is that even possible? Is it framed in diamonds?” asked one reader.
Mayor Patricia Heintzman told The Squamish Chief this week there’s “no real plan at the moment” for the sign, and the public art committee will look at it, “as this seems the most intuitive place to begin to conceptualize it.”
“It needs to serve a variety of purposes: welcome, tell a story, convey vernacular and spirit of Squamish,” she explained. The committee will make recommendations to council. “Based on proposals brought forward last term, $100,000 seemed like a good parameter,” noting the actual amount spent could be a different figure.
From the outcry, it seems taxpayers agree that $100,000 is too steep, that an extra zero has been added. But perhaps $10,000 is too little, and $100,000 too much.
The right sign would be something worthwhile and high quality, something that will tempt travellers to exit the highway at Squamish to explore and spend.
The right sign would not be designed by a committee, rather by a local artist or tradesperson – one who lives here and loves Squamish. This community is not generic or run-of-the-mill, so its sign should reflect that – and its proud Squamish Nation heritage, as depicted in the logo.
Our article this week titled "What is the cost of a welcome sign?" indicates that municipalities have spent anything from nothing at all (Victoria) on entrance signs up to $150,000 (Nanaimo, through a corporate donation). In Port Alberni, similar in size to Squamish, the regional government spent about $5,000 for a sign.
What amount is the right amount? Perhaps $30,000 is enough if the artist who creates it has a deep passion for this community. Indeed, in The Squamish Chief’s unscientific website poll, 39 per cent of respondents said they’d be pleased to create one for the district – for free. A great local artist could certainly build something beautiful that suits the purpose for much less than $100,000. Who will that be?
- Editor Christine Endicott
