THUNDER BAY – The old signs welcoming people to Thunder Bay were starting to look a little weather worn. That should not be the case anytime soon as new signs have been installed. Three new artist-produced highway signs have been installed at the City limits. The signs, which were designed to meet current MTO standards, are a milestone for the City’s Clean, Green and Beautiful Committee. The Committee collaborated with the City’s Tourism Division and Recreation & Culture Division during the process, and provided funding for the project.
“We saw it as an opportunity to beautify the City and to highlight the unique character and attractions of the region” said Lisa Beckwick, Acting Manager of the City’s Tourism Division.
The designs by artist Jyhling Lee of Lee-Koopman Projects, were selected through a competition open to local and regional artists, administered by the City’s Public Art Program. An opening ceremony was held at Thunder Bay Airport next to the sign entitled “Boats on Lake Superior.”
“The silhouette of the Sleeping Giant establishes our major theme and also establishes the artistic technique of silhouette,” said Lee in her proposal. In addition, the signs focus on the City as a gateway to outdoor recreation, and strengthen the City’s “Superior by Nature” brand.
In keeping with the City’s Clean, Green and Beautiful Policy’s emphasis on green sources of energy, each of the new signs is solar powered, saving the City up to $6,200 of annual fees that would otherwise have been spent to power and maintain the old signs.
The “Northern Lights” sign is located along highway 11/17 near Twin City Crossroads, and “Boreal Forest” can be viewed along highway 61 near Little Norway Road.