The Bow Island/Burdett Chamber of Commerce will donate $4,000 towards the new business directory sign which will be erected by the new tourist information centre, then will try to recoup the expenditure by selling the advertising spaces available on the sign.
Several concerns were discussed at the Chamber of Commerce meeting on April 7. Some members mentioned that it may be difficult to find advertisers to fill the spaces since other signs owned by the chamber currently have available spaces.
Kelsie Bastura with the Economic Development Alliance was on hand to discuss the sign, one of several projects that is being undertaken through CAF funding procured for the town by the alliance.
“I think this is a prime location to have this kind of sign,” she said adding the advertising spaces would be minimally priced and renewals would be once a year.
Corinna Roth-Beacome, who also attended the meeting, pointed out that she recently made a cross-country trip and stopping at tourist information centres to look at signs and find places like hotels, garages and grocery stores is something tourists do when they travel.
“I like the idea but I don’t want to see the chamber stuck with the bill,” chamber president, Randy Deleenheer said.
He added that finding enough committee members to spearhead an advertising campaign so the $4,000 would be recouped could be difficult.
Bastura explained that time plays a factor necessitating a decision as soon as possible since all the construction would start very soon and be completed within a two week period.
“I think this is an appropriate project for the chamber but I am reluctant to put someone else’s money on the line,” Will Van Roessel, the chambers representative with the alliance, said.
Kendra Borgen, who will be taking over Bastura’s current position at the EDA and who will therefor continue with the Bow Island projects, said she would be willing to help set up some sort of advertising plan to aid the chamber with getting the news out that these spots are available as well as helping business owners understand the benefit to them if they choose to advertise on it.
A motion for the chamber to pay for the sign passed with one member opposed.
Roth-Beacome, Deleenheer, Dale Meier and Tom Conquergood will help on the advertising committee.