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Signs 'a welcoming sight' -- Desjardins

Malcolm Gorrill
Northern News Services

Inuvik (Aug 04/00) - A series of 21 welcoming banners sprung up all over Inuvik last week.

Below the banners are flower pots, which were actually put up about a month ago as part of the program.

The banners, which say "Welcome to Inuvik" in three languages, come in three designs, as the program was funded by the Town of Inuvik, the Inuvik Native Band and the Inuvik Community Corporation.

Brian Desjardins, the town's tourism co-ordinator, came up with the idea.

"There was involvement from everyone," Desjardins said on Thursday, regarding putting up the banners, flower pots and attachments.

The pots, banners and attachments were put up by NWT Power Corp. workers.

"They got them all up on Monday, the Northwest Power Corp., which was mighty nice of them," said Desjardins.

The flower pots were purchased from the Community Garden Society.

"Right now we have summer students with Public Services for the Town of Inuvik watering them (the plants) each day," Desjardins said. "Inuvik Works Project, they painted and modified the attachments, because they had to make a few changes."

Desjardins said the response so far has been positive.

"I'm sure it's a welcoming sight," he said.

"I went south for my holidays and then I came back and the attachments and flower pots were up when I got back: it made a difference. It's a great way to welcome visitors," Desjardins said.

"It was a lot of fun, actually."