The iconic Port Hardy welcome sign will be replaced with a new design, along with a 10-foot-tall carrot.
Port Hardy district council last week approved spending $32,000 to replace the wood sign, which has decayed to the point it’s no longer safe. Dan Richey has been tapped to do the carving work, he has already consulted with the surviving member of the original carving team.
Richey’s design is similar to the original, with a bear and salmon featuring prominently. He will also replace Carrot Park’s namesake carving, a reference to government promises since 1897 to build a highway to Port Hardy. The town’s successful “Carrot Campaign” in the 1970s helped persuade the province to finally follow through.
There’s no timeline yet for when the sign will be replaced.
