Visitors to Edmonton have been greeted for almost 30 years by the iconic slogan “City of Champions.”
That era came to an end Friday as city crews began removing the slogan on the city’s welcome signs, leaving behind empty concrete signposts.
The move follows a city council decision earlier this week to take them down. Many councillors called them outdated and no longer relevant.
But Coun. Dave Loken questioned why the city couldn’t wait to replace the signs entirely before removing the slogan.
“Those who are concerned about people’s impressions of Edmonton with the old signs, the impression isn’t going to be good seeing these ugly pieces of concrete sticking out. It’s embarrassing, to be honest. This whole thing was really unnecessary.”
Loken would now like to see the old city of champions signs auctioned off.
Over the coming months, councillors will review options for replacing the welcome signs entirely.
