The municipality will spend up to $100,000 on directional signs to steer motorists into the community.
At the municipal council meeting on Monday evening, council voted unanimously to purchase the directional signs.
“We realize this is expensive, but once and for all, it’s time to get it done,” said Mayor Janice Perrino.
The signs, which would be placed along Highway 97, would advertise attractions or special events in the community.
Coun. Lloyd Christopherson said Summerland is the only Okanagan community which does not use the highway as a main business route. “We have to get people into the town,” he said.
Coun. Martin Van Alphen said the signs would benefit the entire community since they could promote a business or a special event.
The digital signs were considered in August, 2010. The reader board signs were to use LED technology to display messages and could be changed depending on the events the municipality wished to promote.
A year later, the sign purchase was shelved since the municipality could not find the money in the budget for the project. Instead, municipal funds were spent on other projects, including upgrade work on Bathville Road.
In addition to installing the digital signs, council also passed a resolution directing municipal staff to review the existing sign bylaw and make recommendations for potential changes.
Coun. Bruce Hallquist said the sign bylaw has been in need of revision for some time.
“It has taken far too long for us to do this,” he said.