KENORA – If you are headed west from Thunder Bay over the coming months and years, you will now see the new Kenora Gateway sign. City of Kenora Mayor David Canfield and MP Greg Rickford cut the ribbon on the City’s new gateway sign at the City’s eastern boundary today. The City has constructed two signs, one on the east and one on the western entrance to the City. The 26’ high gateway signs were part of the 11 km gateway paving project, which was funded from the federal government’s economic stimulus program.
“Our Government was pleased to fund this gateway project for Kenora. The highway entrances had not been re-paved for over 20 years. The newly paved highway sections and the additional sections from the City’s boundary to the by-pass make entering the City a new experience. These majestic gateway signs will greet visitors to the area. The new gateway highways and this signage project speaks to the magnificence of the Lake of the Woods area and our beautiful city of Kenora. Importantly, this project is a local idea, using local product and local business and local people – what we intended all along for implementing the numerous projects Kenora received under Canada’s Economic Action Plan”, said MP Greg Rickford.
The signs were designed by local designers Mike Newton of Mike Newton Design and Claude Lord, of the Kenora Design Group. The signs utilize local materials and feature an 8’ depiction of the City’s brand. A bow window at the base of the signs mimics the view from a cottage window looking across the Lake to the City’s Harbourfont.
Mayor David Canfield was proud to cut the ribbon at the eastern gateway sign today. “These gateway signs send the right message about Kenora to local residents, cottagers and visitors by showcasing the beauty of our area. The fact that the signs were locally designed and constructed shows the kind of talent that we have right here in Kenora. That aspect of this project makes me especially proud.”
The gateway entrances and signage correspond with the City of Kenora’s Economic Development Plan and Tourism Strategy. The City is diversifying its economy by marketing the community as a place to visit, a place to live and a place to do business. The Economic Development Plan focuses on the natural assets of the area such as Lake of the Woods, the boreal forest and the Canadian Shield. The gateway signs are constructed of natural materials from the area.
The gateway signage project was one of several projects for which the City of Kenora received approval under the federal government’s Economic Stimulus Plan. Other projects include the Lake of the Woods Discovery Centre, which will open in 2011 and the Marine Water Line, which was completed in 2010.
One final section of roadway from Keewatin to Norman, on the west side, will complete the gateway paving project.