The Municipality of Jasper is planning to install three new wayfinding signs to help visitors navigate the town and find facilities.
On Tuesday, committee of the whole unanimously recommended that council award the 2024 Wayfinding Project to Burke Group of Companies Ltd. in the amount of $36,802.99.
“The 2024 Wayfinding Project will enhance ease of navigation for visitors, including those with disabilities, by providing clear and consistent signage that includes the use of pictograms,” administration stated in its report.
In 2016, the municipality adopted Wayfinding and Signage Guidelines and completed the first phase of the plan in 2021 with the installation of two entrance signs to the townsite.
The second phase will add three wayfinding signs, with $30,000 allocated toward the project in the 2024 approved budget.
Administration stated that the project funding was 100 per cent grant supported.
CAO Bill Given explained during Tuesday’s meeting that the signage would give directions to major community facilities to visitors.
Each sign would be aluminum and have a concrete base cladded with local river rock, with the total installation being over six feet tall.
The installation would take place in the fall outside of the tourist season.
Administration noted how the improved signage would enhance the visibility of community facilities such as the Library and Cultural Centre, the Jasper-Yellowhead Museum, and municipal recreation facilities.
Coun. Wendy Hall asked if the signs would also be in French and if there would be any considerations to the Indigenous heritage of the area.
Given replied that the signs wouldn’t be bilingual since the signs would have limited space, and as a municipal project, they were not required to have French.
He added that the signs would primarily use pictograms since many visitors to Jasper don’t speak English as a first language.
“Finally, around Indigenous recognition, this doesn’t propose changing or addressing place names. It is merely identifying to people how to get to facilities that already exists … and there’s a limited amount of space.”
While the total project cost of $36,802.99 exceeds the approved budget of $30,000, the Burke Group of Companies Ltd. submission was $32,000 less than the other submission received.
The overage of $6,802.99 requires council approval but can be funded from Local Government Fiscal Framework grant funds, which is similar to the original source of funding.
Administration noted that the cost could potentially be brought in line with the approved budget if council decreased the number of sign locations from three to two.
However, this would reduce the economies of scale of the project and could result in less comprehensive navigation assistance for residents and visitors.
Both councillors Ralph Melnyk and Helen Kelleher-Empey said council should move forward with all three signs rather than cutting back to two.
Council will make a final decision on the signage next week.
