Watch above: One city councillor wants to look at updating Edmonton’s welcome signs. As Emily Mertz reports, Michael Oshry feels the current signs are outdated and don’t reflect the city.
EDMONTON – If one city councillor has his way, the Capital City’s “Welcome to Edmonton” signs could be getting a facelift.
Councillor Michael Oshry submitted a notice of motion Tuesday to have city administration look at changing the signs that welcome people into Edmonton.
“I think it’s time for a refresh and it’s time to update the city’s brand, and this is part of the city’s brand. I think it’s something that we need to get on,” said Oshry.
“I’m not convinced that these have to be elaborate, expensive, signs, it’s more about updating the brand,” he explained. “It could be something simple, it could be elaborate – that’s something that we’ll need to decide but again, the city is just sort of moving forward and we need to update it.”
Edmontonians were quick to offer their thoughts on his proposal. Many agreed the signs could use an update, and some even suggested possible designs.
He added he wasn’t sure yet what he’d like to see instead, but floated the idea of something “more modern, maybe simple, maybe no tag line.”
“I’m not convinced we need a new slogan,” said Oshry. “I’m not a fan of the old slogan, I’m not a fan of the signs.
“I’m not sure we need a new slogan.
“I think we could do some other interesting things branding the city that doesn’t entail a slogan… it’s not for me to say though, we’re going to have to make the right decision getting as much input as we can from the public and from others. I’m convinced that we can make the right call here.”
The suggestion of removing the “City of Champions” slogan prompted a spirited response on social media.
Oshry admitted the slogan idea is still in its early stages, but said he is looking forward to a debate on the issue.
“It’s the initial viewpoint that people get of the city when they drive in or fly in and so it’s important that we update that brand to make it more indicative of where the city is now and where the city is going.”
Council will hear the motion in two weeks time.
Last October, a number of Edmonton’s welcome signs were vandalized.
The ‘City of Champions’ slogan was covered up on six city signs; ‘Suck it Calgary,’ ‘City of Speed Traps’ and ‘Road Construction City’ were among the new slogans.
City crews were called out to clean up the signs.
Comments