Bricks are being reapplied to the base of the signs after they started falling off.

(CHARLOTTE HELSTON / iNFOnews.ca)

VERNON - It’s been a bumpy road for Vernon’s new welcome signs, but the end is — fingers crossed — near.

The signs, one each at both ends of the city on Highway 97 and a third at Highway 6, were back in the spotlight this week as Vernon council saw the final cost while motorists saw bricks and letters already starting to fall off.

One undated photo on Facebook shows the letter ’R’ missing from one of the signs, and a stop at the Highway 97 north location shows all the bricks have been removed from the base.

Image Credit: Brian Quint/ Facebook

Community infrastructure and development director Kim Flick says not to worry, the signs will be fixed and it won’t cost the City another dime.

“The City did an inspection prior to the conclusion of the contract. At that time, we noticed deficiencies related to the letters and the bricks and the way they’ve been applied,” she says.

The contractor is repairing the signs at no additional cost and there will be a final inspection. 

“We understand the work started last weekend and the contractor is well aware we would like this work wrapped up as soon as possible,” Flick says.

On Monday, July 17, Vernon council was informed that the initial $55,000 project had come in over budget by about $30,000, coming out to just over $86,000. The cost overruns are related to the addition of solar lighting and extra labour and materials to meet structural engineering requirements.

The process to replace the signs took about two years, during which time council sent back the designs multiple times. By the end, there was still some discontent among members of the public, and even some councillors weren’t thrilled with the new look.

The concrete is supposed to provide low maintenance and high durability and is stamped for a wood effect “to reflect the natural and industrial history of the area,” according to the City.

An interchangeable greeting banner will read ‘Welcome/Bienvenue’ on the front and ‘Come Again’ on the back.

The City decided in 2015 to replace the former ‘Welcome to Greater Vernon’ signs first installed in 2008. Council felt the old signs were in bad shape and falling apart.

FILE PHOTO: The old Welcome to Greater Vernon sign which was replaced.

(CHARLOTTE HELSTON / iNFOnews.ca)

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