OUTLOOK - If you're driving along the main drag in Outlook, you've probably noticed the new signs that are hanging up on power poles.
Along McKenzie Street and Saskatchewan Avenue, banners can be seen advertising companies that help make up the local business directory in Outlook.
The town's chief administrative officer Kevin Trew said this initiative comes after an extensive planning period with the Outlook & District Chamber of Commerce, which is leading the project.
"The Chamber of Commerce led banner program is coming to fruition after a long period of planning," said Trew. "The Chamber looked after selecting a provider, signing local businesses up to participate, as well as selecting format and size of the banners. Participating businesses provided their logo and information for the banner and approved the proof of the banner. The Chamber expects this iteration of the banner program to last at least three years."
The Town of Outlook signed an agreement with the Chamber of Commerce to have the banners and hardware installed, as well as to maintain them should any issues arise. Making sure all the bases were covered, permission was sought and granted by SaskPower in order for the banners to be hung up on the street lights. The banners are being hung randomly, with plans to hang more along Franklin Street.
Trew said that the look of the banners hanging above was talked about beforehand, knowing the routine and traditional look of Outlook's main streets whenever the holidays roll around.
"With visibility in mind and in order to accommodate Christmas decorations and SaskPower’s regulations with regards to streetlight safety, the banners hung on McKenzie Street are higher than the decorations but protruding into the street, whereas the banners hung on Saskatchewan Avenue and Franklin Street are hung protruding onto the sidewalk at the same height and on the opposite side of where the Christmas decorations are hung," he explained. "It should also be noted that the Town has purchased self-watering planters for placement on many of these streetlights, which are allowed lower than the banners. Due to supply chain issues, we are still awaiting the brackets for those planters."
Trew said the Town is proud of its growing relationship with the business community, notably the Chamber of Commerce. Measures such as the banners dotting the community landscape are seen as ways to strengthen the local business sector and show what the area has to offer the public.
"The number one goal on the Town’s strategic plan is to enhance partnerships and engage stakeholders," said Trew. "We are committed to projects like this one which will, no doubt, strengthen our position as the Irrigation Capital of Saskatchewan."
