The city has erected its first multi-lingual street signs, directing visitors to Prince George's two Sikh temples.
The signs were unveiled on Sunday at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Kelly Street in front of Guru Gobind Singh Temple where there four street name signs and two blue directional signs (one for those travelling eastbound at Fifth Avenue and Union Street and one for those going westbound at Fifth Avenue and Johnson) Street.
Signs for the Guru Nanak Darbar Temple on Davis Road are expected to be installed in a few days. There will be two street name signs on Davis Road and two directional signs, north and southbound on Ospika Boulevard.
The signs come following requests of city council from the Guru Nanak Darbar Sikh Society and Guru Gobind Singh Temple Association in May.
Both requests were unanimously approved, with councillors touting the need to celebrate the multiculturalism in Prince George.
"I think we've got to acknowledge the different cultures that live in our community and make sure everyone feels welcome," said Coun. Murry Krause.
In discussing the request, Coun. Jillian Merrick said she was behind the idea, but not if the city was expected to pay for it.
"This is a private society that's looking to advertise their facility," Merrick said at the May 11 meeting. "I don't think it's appropriate for us to cover the cost for that."
Both groups are being charged the $200-per-sign rate as laid out in the city's fees and charges bylaw for fabrication and installation.
"Many considerations were taken into account when reviewing and producing these signs," said city engineering supervisor Heather Andreychuk.
While the street name plates match existing hardware, provincial standards had to be looked at for the directional signs.
"The blue sign with the white lettering is a standard informational sign styling," Andreychuk said. "But we did have to develop them – and with Punjabi script which was provided to us by the organizations and then we provided that to the sign company. They had their graphic artist create the reflective character for the signs."
Aside from the fact that the script is unfamiliar to most, the signs shouldn't be a distraction.
"In terms of styling and sizing and visual impact, it's to the standards of the typical roadway sign," Andreychuk said.
Back in May, Mayor Lyn Hall said he expected council's decision to say yes to the Sikh community's request would open the door to similar asks.
"We are a multicultural community and we just need to look around and see how multicultural we actually are," Hall said. "I'm sure there's no question: we're going to see more organizations come forward and want to look at the same thing.... We have an opportunity to celebrate the multiculturalism of our community."
