The Town of Turner Valley is making sure its messages to the public are clear and frequent this summer.
During its June 1 meeting, Turner Valley Town council agreed to purchase an electronic community signboard to post notices, public events and emergency messages.
The Town’s previous design guidelines prohibited this type of signage, but council changed its minds because the current boards are time-consuming for administration and the messages were sometimes rearranged inappropriately.
“As soon as the letters are up the kids are bored and create their own sign,” said Turner Valley Mayor Kelly Tuck. “It hasn’t been a huge problem up until the last couple of years when we noticed they’ve been doing a little bit more of it. You can’t have profanity on a sign.”
While it’s been reported to the RCMP, the culprits have not been caught.
Council approved the purchase of the electronic sign in this year’s budget.
“It will be nice to be able to have something to allow for better and more communication,” Tuck said. “If there is going to be a road closure, if there is going to be paving we’ll be able to put all that information on there. We are really trying to get communication out there and I see this as another good source and tool for the Town.”
The Town currently uses two changeable copy signs to communication messages to residents and visitors at Millennium Park and the north end of town along Highway 22.
Barry Williamson, the Town’s chief administrative officer, said the electronic sign will be purchased this summer and managed by the Town once it’s installed.
“It will basically be used the way it’s used now,” he said. “It’s going to be more from a remote management. They can’t be altered and you can’t have rude or vulgar configuring of the letters.”
Once purchased, the sign will be placed at Millennium Park due to the higher visibility at that location. The Town is currently going through the tender process, he said.
Williamson said if the electronic sign is successful, the Town will consider purchasing a second one.
