Next year, March 8, 2024 is the City of Oshawa's Centennial! In my opinion it will be wonderful to see the successful installation of the community-based landmark sign downtown to celebrate! A place where the people of Oshawa can celebrate civic spirit! Thinking how many of us grew up with the fun and enjoyment of 'School Spirit Week'. Consider how 2024 can be a year of celebrating many 'Spirit of Oshawa' weeks, with fun events and of course lots of selfies at the OSHAWA SIGN.
The image here is just for illustration purposes. The Oshawa Sign Team (OST) has on its website www.oshawasign.ca that the public will be engaged to select the final design of the sign, which is expected to be installed in the summer of 2024 in the North Parkette (near King Street West and Centre Street South.
What imo is especially wonderful about the sign project is that it is a community project, initiated by some energetic and civic-minded Oshawa residents. Knowing it is community led and funded by donations makes it special.
Last year a group of Oshawa residents teamed up and asked the City for endorsement of the Oshawa Sign Project. Council approved endorsement to the extent of providing financial stewardship of the project donations, that is, receiving the financial donations the Oshawa Sign Team gathers and providing donors a receipt for tax purposes to the extent permitted under the Income Tax Act.
What imo is especially wonderful about the sign project is that it is a community project, initiated by some energetic and civic-minded Oshawa residents. Knowing it is community led and funded by donations makes it special.
Last year a group of Oshawa residents teamed up and asked the City for endorsement of the Oshawa Sign Project. Council approved endorsement to the extent of providing financial stewardship of the project donations, that is, receiving the financial donations the Oshawa Sign Team gathers and providing donors a receipt for tax purposes to the extent permitted under the Income Tax Act.
So any individuals, organizations, businesses and corporations who are keen to help raise community spirit and see a bright future for Oshawa can fill out a donation form and drop off or mail a donation cheque to: Finance Services, City Hall, 50 Centre St. S., Oshawa, ON L1H 3Z7. Cheques should be made payable to the “City of Oshawa” and include “Landmark Oshawa Sign Project” in the note field. Also, online credit card payments can be remitted on the City’s website through the secure dedicated Oshawa Sign portal here: https://forms.oshawa.ca/.../Oshawa-Landmark-Sign-Donations.
The people of Oshawa are key to this initiative and at the Metroland Spring Home Show I witnessed many show their enthusiasm and share their ideas. Note the final design concept and location remains to be finalized subject to the City's discretion.
The Oshawa Sign should not cost as much as the City of Toronto's, which seems where the Oshawa high estimate came from. Check out these facts: the Kingston sign cost $60K in 2017 and to this day people line up to stand in place of the letter I.
 The City of Hamilton sign was reported in this CBC article as costing $250K in 2017 The City of Hamilton sign was reported in this CBC article as costing $250K in 2017. → |  |
The City of Barrie sign was $200K last year
The City of Barrie sign was $200K last year
Hoping as many as possible will give support to the project. Great to read on the sign website that “during the design process accessibility will be a priority...and 'Indigenous consultation will take place throughout the design of the sign.'
Ultimately, it will be the people of Oshawa who make this project a reality, not their local government using taxpayer dollars. Knowing this genuinely makes the Oshawa Sign a City asset that truly belongs to the people of Oshawa, thanks to those who support it and who donate!
Recently one friend suggested the sign might be designed to say "We are Oshawa', which I very much liked. Yet another said it might say "Our OSHAWA' for an inclusive message. The ideas are many and I hope good will come with generating more engagement.
Ultimately, it will be the people of Oshawa who make this project a reality, not their local government using taxpayer dollars. Knowing this genuinely makes the Oshawa Sign a City asset that truly belongs to the people of Oshawa, thanks to those who support it and who donate!
Recently one friend suggested the sign might be designed to say "We are Oshawa', which I very much liked. Yet another said it might say "Our OSHAWA' for an inclusive message. The ideas are many and I hope good will come with generating more engagement.