Ladysmith utility boxes getting a new look

The designs could include archival photographs, Indigenous cultural designs or artistic designs for up to 15 utility boxes. Photo courtesy of Town of Ladysmith

Utility boxes around the Ladysmith area are getting a new look.

Ladysmith council passed a motion at its meeting on Tuesday, March 5 for staff to recommend designs and locations to wrap utility boxes. 

The designs could include archival photographs, Indigenous cultural designs or artistic designs for up to 15 utility boxes.

Councillor Duck Paterson suggested one idea of what could be featured in the designs.

“I think it's a fantastic idea, and would help brighten up this vibrant community,” Paterson said. “I don't know if we could put in suggestions, but it would be nice to see one or two of the wraps, somehow acknowledging volunteers.”

Ladysmith Mayor Aaron Stone added an amendment to the motion to include volunteer recognition on the list of considerations for the designs. The amendment was added after the council voted unanimously in favour of it.

Councillor Amanda Jacobson asked if there is a way the town’s public art committee could be involved in helping decide which of the final designs are picked.

Allison McCarrick, the town’s chief administrative officer, said due to time constraints, the choices will only go back to council.

Chris Barfoot, the town’s director of parks recreation and culture, said the wraps are intended to last for five to seven years. Photo courtesy of Town of Ladysmith

“It will just come back to council and we're just on a tight schedule for it,” McCarrick said. “So we've spoken with our director of parks and recreation, and it would just be too long of a process for the turnaround.”

Councillor Marsh Stevens asked staff what the durability of the wrapping would be and if it is cost effective or possible to change out the wrapping over the years.

Chris Barfoot, the town’s director of parks recreation and culture, said the wraps are intended to last for five to seven years.

“The wraps can be done in many different ways. One common one is using a 3M anti-graffiti, UV resistant coating that the images are printed on and then the box is wrapped. And so replacing it at any time can be done,” Barfoot said “But they are meant to last for for quite a while and sustain tagging and the graffiti.”

McCarrick said only newly installed utility boxes will be considered for the wrapping.

If council decided that they want to wrap the already existing utility boxes, it would be a town budget item council would have to consider next year.

McCarrick said the cost of utility box wrapping is unconfirmed at the moment but will be covered under town operations costs that are already included in the budget. 

The motion passed and staff will bring to council at a later date ideas for designs and respective locations for their consideration.

Funding Note: This story was produced with funding support from the Local Journalism Initiative, administered by the Community Radio Fund of Canada.