City of Cranbrook council approved a staff plan Sept. 14 to revamp the City of Champions banner program.

Council also approved a budget for $20,000 in the 2021 budget, in support of staff forming a committee to solicit ideas and designs for new themes, and images for a banner program to be placed along the highway and potentially down Baker St. in the spring.

The plan will see all of the banners and their framework along Highway 3 taken down this fall; replacing them with a recognition program highlighting Cranbrook’s Champions on the Western Financial Place LED screen along Victoria Ave, and with images on the new LED screens in Western Financial Place’s lobby.

There was some discussion among council about leaving the banners in place for the time being and take them down when new streetlight banners can go up.

“It’s disrespectful to the champions to leave those banners up right now,” stated Coun. Ron Popoff.

Coun. Norma Blissett, noting the banners can be a distraction for drivers, suggested a new format could be devised to honour the city’s champions.

The City of Champions banners along Highway 3 have been in place since 2009. Over the years, they have faded, deteriorated and become dated in their references to past cultural and sports achievements- eg. Kootenay ICE – WHL Champions.

The initial project was begun by former Coun. Liz Schatschneider, pictured above far left, as a means of recognizing local heroes and beautifying Cranbrook.

City of Cranbrook photo

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