HomeMy Public PortalAbout2012-10-11_Village Sign InitiativePRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 22, 2012
NEW SIGNAGE INITIATIVE TO BOOST TOURISM
VILLAGE OF CHESTER –The Municipality of the District of Chester has partnered with
Destination Bluenose Coast in a pilot project that will hopefully attract,or at least direct,
visitors into the Village of Chester.
Destination Bluenose Coast is a regional tourism organization that covers the area
between the western end of the Halifax Regional Municipality to the western boundary
of Lunenburg County and inland as far as New Ross and New Germany.
Trudi Curley, Coordinator for Bluenose Coast,presented a “wayfinding”program to
Council last year.The program introduces uniform signage for the whole region that will
direct visitors to local vendors,accommodations,and points of interest.The project
includes highway identifier signs, route markers, community signs, and directional signs.
Also included are icons similar to those posted on Provincial Highway signs that indicate
the presence of facilities such as golf courses and accommodations.
The program is designed so that there is the potential for specific signage strategies for
each municipal unit within Bluenose Coast’s boundaries.This requires a partnership and
approval from each unit.Ms. Curley believes that the Village of Chester is an ideal
location to pilot the project. Council agreed.
“The Bluenose Coast set out to develop an intuitive wayfinding system that is available
to all visitors at all times,”says Ms. Curley. She further goes on to say that
“implementation of the program will be incremental, starting with a new sign to direct
visitors into Chester’s village core. We are happy that the Municipality recognizes the
value in this program and is willing to collaborate with us in our effort to enhance the
visitor experience.”
Over the last year, the Municipality and Bluenose Coast have worked closely to develop
a program that works for this area. In consultation with local merchant and tourism
groups, they realized their first milestone:installing their first directional sign in the
Village of Chester.The second phase of the project will be a pilot project to install
community scale directional signage in the Village that will point visitors to shops,
galleries, accommodations, dining, and public facilities.The signs are general in nature,
listing only types of businesses and not specific names, and the appearance is in keeping
with the existing tourism signage –navy blue with white lettering.
“We are excited to finally see the results of this partnership,” says Warden Webber.
“This pilot respects the tasteful atmosphere of Chester while recognizing the necessity
to advance economic sustainability within the Village.”
If the pilot project is successful, you will be s eeing more of these signs throughout the
Municipality…and maybe a few more visitors.
-30-
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Jennifer Veinotte, Communications Officer
Municipality of the District of Chester
(902) 275-3554 phone (902) 275-4771 fax
(902) 277-1169 cell phone jveinotte@chester.ca