Efforts to graphically display the outstanding amenities the Powell River region has to offer through integrated signage is gaining support from two local governments.
Following a presentation to Powell River Regional District’s rural services committee in December, Tourism Powell River’s executive director Paul Kamon’s request for $50,000 has received a positive result from the regional district’s board of directors. However, the money comes with a caveat that the City of Powell River needs to match the funding.
The city will discuss the funding request at its council meeting, Thursday, February 5.
Funding from both governments became necessary when funding from Island Coastal Economic Trust (ICET) finished after phase one of the project, a study examining replacement of the old, worn-out signage at the gateways to town. A phase two application was turned down by ICET, which cited erection of signage is the responsibility of the community.
Signs describing Powell River’s amenities are “out of date and essentially wrong,” said Kamon. The signs are also in various states of decay. He has created two priority lists for sign replacement. The estimated cost for the primary sign priorities is $126,500, which would include the Little River, Earls Cove and Blubber Bay ferry terminals, four visitor information locations, welcome signs at city limits, plus the Sunshine Coast Trail, Powell Forest Canoe Route and Duck Lake.
Secondary sign priorities, to be done in a second phase, are estimated to cost a further $107,500.
“We’ll work with whatever amount of funding we get and we’ll work down the priority list,” Kamon said. “We’ll look for other types of funding to continue our work.”
In providing funding for the project, the regional district also requested that the board enter into an agreement with Tourism Powell River on the intended use of the funds.
