Beautification committee proposed for Dawson

DAWSON CITY - There are a number of things Dawson City could do to spruce itself up.

DAWSON CITY - There are a number of things Dawson City could do to spruce itself up.

That was the message Nancy Schmidt brought to town council at a meeting earlier this month.

Schmidt had a number of projects in mind that she believes might improve the look of the town and make it more attractive both to locals and to visitors.

To this end, she hoped to obtain the council’s approval to start up a beautification committee to pursue some of her ideas and perhaps generate a few others.

She suggested that the city should look into the Communities in Bloom program, as well as the Cultural Capitals of Canada program.

Her first project, however, was an appeal to have the town do something about the photo op sign that has sat for years beside the decaying old CIBC building.

This is one of those large signs with a couple of human figures on it with cut-out heads. Visitors stick their heads through the holes and take pictures of themselves with their faces showing above the bodies of a couple of miner types.

The problem with the sign is that it’s about 30 years old and sadly in need of either repair or replacement.

The paint has been peeling off for some time and the wood is deteriorating. Schmidt asked that the town repair or remove it.

A few days later, the sign was gone, removed to the storage yard in the Callison industrial subdivision. It will be evaluated to see if repainting, repair or replacement will be carried out.

Visitors wishing to take a photo at that sort of display have not been left without options.

There is a casino themed sign of this type outside Diamond Tooth Gerties, an art-related sign outside the Dawson City Arts Society’s Oddfellows’ Hall and a Klondike themed display at the Guggieville RV Park.

Schmidt suggested a number of other displays that might be appealing to tourists. They included improved welcoming signs along the river, a large thermometer for photo opportunities and continuing development of the area around the Tribute to the Miner statue.

Since that time, a committee has been formed and has held its first meeting, More suggestions will doubtless be forthcoming.