Mayor Chris White says a new logo unveiled recently by Guelph-Eramosa Township will not replace the municipality’s official crest.
“The crest remains as the official crest … this is just a quick way to identify the township,” said White.
Earlier this month council endorsed a recommendation from its strategic planning and economic development committee to adopt a new “corporate branding and township signage plan” proposed by parks and recreation manager Robin Milne.
Costs for new signs – to be placed initially at various entrances into the township and later at trails and parks – will be included in the 2013 budget, but the new logo is already being used by the township.
“It’s a very, very simple logo,” White said of the “GET” decal, which is an abbreviation for Guelph-Eramosa Township but can also be used as a play on the word “get.”
A township press release declares the municipality “dipped into the past and looked to the future with the design of its new logo.”
According to the press release, “The new logo incorporates the importance of the Eramosa and Speed Rivers, both local heritage rivers and major tributaries of the Grand River … The design element of the tree within the logo recognizes the common respect for the natural environment that residents of this community share.”
The mayor said developing the new logo cost nothing other than regular staff time, as Milne came up with the design on his own.
“This wasn’t a big, expensive process,” said White. “It’s just a little branding to identify the township.”
He told the Advertiser many people confuse areas of the township with the City of Guelph, and placement of the new logo will help differentiate the two municipalities.
He cited the Hillside Festival as an event that takes place in the township but is assumed by many to be a city event.
The new logo will be used going forward in “all advertisements, notices, public information packages, signage, correspondence and the updated township website, to be launched later this year,” according to the township’s press release.
White stressed the township crest, which was developed with the input of several local residents around the time of amalgamation in 1999, will not be replaced.
He said the crest is “great” and has historical importance, “but there’s nothing verbal about it.”
He added he realizes many residents like the township crest and what it represents, but the new logo is an important part of helping to identify the township.
“We’re going from nothing at all to new signs with a logo,” said White.
