THUNDER BAY – The city is presenting the public options on signage designed to help tourists and locals alike navigate their way throughout Thunder Bay.
On Monday consultants joined municipal officials at city hall to unveil three distinct looks for its planned wayfinding program, one using a contemporary feel, a second taking an artisan’s approach, complete with a cut-out outline of the Sleeping Giant at the top and the third a using a more natural look.
Adam Krupper, the city’s mobility co-ordinator, said the signs, which should start appearing next summer, will be a boon for tourists looking for fun and interesting things to do while in Thunder Bay.
“When people come to Thunder Bay they’ll know what’s available to them,” Krupper said, offering up suggestions like the Sleeping Giant, Prince Arthur’s Landing and Prime Gelato as examples of places visitors might be directed to on the signs.
“They’ll know where to find these places. It will be quick and easy.”
Krupper added it’s also a chance for tourists to map their way to places they might not otherwise know about.
“Thunder Bay is full of hidden gems and these are going to reveal those hidden gems, and I’m really excited about that,” Krupper said.
A six-page survey, which is also available online, has been produced to help the city and its consultants narrow down and tweak signage options, asking opinions on the look of each one, what changes they might make, what the public thinks are the city’s landmarks and what should be included on the accompanying maps.
Gavin Davidson, a consultant with Vancouver’s Alta Planning and Design, said the sign choices are a reflection of feedback they’ve already received from the public and stakeholders on the wayfinding program.
“Functionality is really important, but we really want to reflect the spirit and the sense of Thunder Bay and make you want to get out and walk some more,” Davidson said.
Krupper said signs will be placed at strategic locations in the downtown cores, as well as throughout the city’s extensive trail system, adding it will take about 10 years for all the desired signs to be put in place. He said the money to pay for the signage will be allotted for through existing budgets.
For more information, visit www.thunderbaywayfinding.com.
