Each letter of the new Nanaimo sign weighs several hundred pounds. (Spencer Sterritt/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

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NANAIMO — A freshly installed art display in downtown Nanaimo is poised to be featured in endless pictures for years to come.

Crews installed five-foot high letters spelling “NANAIMO” on a concrete pad at Maffeo Sutton Park in front of Swy-A-Lana Lagoon on Thursday, April 29.

Mayor Leonard Krog said the sign establishes a clear presence of pride of place.

“We call ourselves the Harbour City and where else would you want to have a sign expressing pride in Nanaimo then in the harbour at Maffeo Sutton Park,” Krog told NanaimoNewsNOW.

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The white and blue galvanized steel sign includes a rainbow coloured ‘O’, projecting the City’s focus on establishing a stronger circular economy and the community’s diversity.

Krog said the multi-coloured letter sends an important message.

“I think the diversity symbol at the end of it speaks to what a tollarent and accepting community we are.”

The mayor said he expects the new sign, similar to ones installed in Toronto and Ottawa, will have long lasting positive economic impacts in addition to elevated pride of place for locals.

The City’s director of community development Bill Corsan said the final budget for the new sign is $57,000, while its life expectancy is 10 years or more, assuming annual maintenance like painting is done.

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