The Nanaimo's sign's rainbow-coloured 'O' will be re-imagined with different artwork.
The popular tourist photo-op attraction at Sway' A' Lana Lagoon at Maffeo Sutton Park won't sport its 15 bands of colour for much longer, as city council, at a meeting Monday, May 26, voted to commission a new design for the 'O' and look into an annual public call for artists to re-design the letter.
The sign was vandalized last month and city staff reported only "moderate success" removing the vandalism.
"The re-painting of the 'O' presents an opportunity to consider the potential for some artistic renewal of the Nanaimo sign," noted a staff report. "As well as addressing operational considerations, re-painting has the potential to reinforce the city's commitment to public art and inclusivity."
City staff told the News Bulletin last month that a Canadian maple leaf theme was one of the ideas under consideration, and at this week's meeting, Coun. Sheryl Armstrong said that another idea that seemed popular on social media was incorporating the blue and white waves from the city's logo, an idea Coun. Ian Thorpe also liked.
The only member of council to argue in favour of the current rainbow design was Mayor Leonard Krog. He pointed to the diversity it represents, and he opposed the notion of 'bureaucratizing' renewal of the sign, but he also didn't want to submit to the will of vandals.
"We have had … some bloody idiots who choose to deface public property, obviously, many of us assume, based on ridiculous views held by conspiracy theorists that somehow this council is controlled by or in allyship with the World Economic Forum," Krog said. "I would regard any change to that sign as a concession to the idiots and I am not prepared to do that under any circumstances."
The Nanaimo sign's 'O' resembles part of the logo of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and Coun. Paul Manly noted that those goals include things like good health, zero hunger, decent work and clean water.
"To deface a sign because you oppose those things is a bit bizarre," he said.
Coun. Ben Geselbracht suggested fining vandals $10,000, which he said could go to the Nanaimo sign's re-painting budget.
Ultimately, most of council supported staff's recommendation to commission a new design for the 'O' and look into annual re-design. Both the artist fees and painting would be absorbed into current operational budgets.
"I think it could really promote a local artist and give them a nice little canvas in a central park," said Coun. Erin Hemmens.
The vote passed 5-3 with Krog, Armstrong Thorpe opposed.
