Guelph-Eramosa councillors have decided to delay any decision about display banners and associated hardware for Rockwood.
At council’s last meeting on Aug. 5, Parks and Recreation Manager Robin Milne explained there are 49 brackets positioned on poles in Rockwood, but those are “dated” and “can not be cleanly retrofitted to accommodate a bottom bracket.”
He told council he had gathered quotes at the request of the township’s commercial corridor improvement committee.
Milne proposed buying new brackets, which could cost between $12,617 (for one-sign brackets) and $20,212 (two-sign brackets).
He said there are different types of material for banners, including nylon, vinyl, and canvas.
Nylon banners last about three years if left up 12 months of the year, although Milne said the idea would be to rotate the banners seasonally.
He said the committee asked about Christmas banners, which he said would cost about $5,782 for 49 banners and installation, provided council proceeds with the mounting brackets.
But councillors were unsure about the purchase.
“I just want to make sure we’re not going to spend good money after bad,” councillor John Scott said, suggesting there needs to be more discussion on the matter before council makes a decision.
“I’m not sure we’re there yet,” he added.
Councillor Doug Breen agreed, and said he’s not convinced that bottom brackets cannot be made to match the existing upper brackets.
He added that while he is in favour of the idea of banners, he thinks it can be done at a much lower cost than proposed.
Councillor Reta Moyer said she would like some feedback about who the township would be targeting with the banners, specifically whether it would be locals or out-of-towners.
Mayor Chris White said he thinks banners are a vital part of beautification in downtown Rockwood, where businesses pay a lot of taxes and to where the township must make an effort to attract people.
White said while the options provided by Milne are expensive, the brackets are like any other infrastructure item – once they are in place they’re there to stay. However, if a cheaper and better option is available, “that’s the way to go,” he said.
The mayor said council should send the matter back to the committee for a recommendation, and in the meantime, staff should try to track down the company that supplied the existing upper brackets.
Council unanimously approved a resolution to receive Milne’s report for information only and to send the matter back to the committee.
Councillor Roger Knapp was absent.
