A welcoming sight
New overhead sign welcomes people to Tignish
SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. – Tignish has always meant a lot to Faye LeClair-Patterson and her husband Al Way.
That’s why four years ago, the couple devised an idea for a project that would put the Western P.E.I. town on the map – a Welcome to Tignish overhead sign, spanning from one end of the highway to the other.
“Tignish being a special place with a lot of history, we thought we should be doing something that, when people come here, they can tell there’s something special,” said Way.
The pair live in Way’s native Ontario, though LeClair-Patterson hails from Tignish. But they often find themselves back in P.E.I., spending a lot of time at their second home in Kildare Capes.
For Way, that’s part of P.E.I.’s appeal – someone from here can never truly leave.
“Faye was born and raised there,” said Way. “Yeah, she moved away, but she never left. We call it home.”
Way works in property development and has previous business experience in construction; as such, he had an idea of what had to be done for the idea to come to fruition.
With the exception of Way’s brother – who assisted with the graphic design – the sign was locally made.
Businesses such as Perry’s Construction and Martin’s Machine Shop assisted with the build. Gaudet’s Electrical Services Ltd. supplied the lights, giving the sign illumination at night.
Even the land the sign sits on was donated by the locals who own the property.
“It was great,” said Way.
“It was actually very pleasing for me that they have a very strong community ethic, working together, getting things done.”
Mayor Allan McInnis said he and the Tignish councillors were all for the sign when they heard about it and saw the initial design. Since it went up, McInnis said he had received nothing but positive feedback from residents and visitors alike.
“I guess it stresses the town itself, especially if tourists come in and see that,” said McInnis. “I think it will show them that the people in the surrounding area and community, that we take pride in our town.”
The sign was also made without government funding – Way, as well, donated the money for the steel.
“It was all done privately,” said Way. “Then basically donated to the community for their benefit.”
On May 7. Way was part of the crew that erected the sign, which stands 73-feet wide and 26-feet high.
Upon seeing his plan made reality, Way felt a sense of pride and accomplishment – especially taking note of how much interest the sign had generated over social media.
“It’s brought the community together,” he said. “It’s given them something to be really proud of.”
The town plans to hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate the new sign on July 1.