I have an idea. And I think this can get done. And I'm so confident that this might fly, I'm giving it a two-year window to happen, if all the pieces might somehow fall into place.
Now, first of all, I know what you are thinking, you are thinking, "ya, but your social housing project never got off the ground!". True, but that project gave me headaches just thinking about the headaches.
Here's my plan: Replace the Mile 0 marker at the end of Douglas / TCH with a new, more prominent sign.
Here is the existing sign, erected in 1958 by the Victoria Automobile Club, and according to a sign attached, maintained by the BCAA.
The existing sign, while quaint, and well-maintained, is very lacking in information (on the back side at foot-level there is a plaque that says Newfoundland 3486 miles or whatever, but no other explanation really). And you nearly have to step in the plants to get up-close.
I think it's a bit sad for such a historic marker. Consider that of all the photo-ops in this city (the harbour, The Empress, the legislature, the blue bridge) it has to be up near the top-10. It's also literally the cornerstone of Beacon Hill Park (it's at the corner, and made of stone - kind of the 1958 version of Langford housing river rock, predecessors to the Tinto Rocks).
My plan for the new sign would be a big Canada map, or big North America map, showing many city markers, and the length of the TCH. It would be situated at such an access level that anyone over 3' tall could point at their home-town, and their sister could point at Victoria, as their older brother takes a picture of them.
The Mile "0" Project 2012-2014
#1
Posted 30 May 2012 - 06:56 AM
#2
Posted 30 May 2012 - 07:02 AM
-City of Victoria website, 2009
#3
Posted 30 May 2012 - 07:20 AM
On paper, it's a great idea but it runs smack against what Jack Knox says is Victoria's official motto, "We Liked The Old One Better". How many views would be blocked? How much native grass would be slaughtered? Would the sign be made in China with child labour? Would it be tactile for the blind? Accessible for the disabled? Dumbed-down for the stupid?
I think the concrete footprint its on now is still sufficient. The new sign will be only slightly taller.
One of the things about the new marker, it helps promote intra-Canada tourism, something that's good for everyone. Or it helps promote foreign visitors to this point. With social media and smartphones, photos whip around faster than ever. So when Mary texts Jill and says "where are you?", Jill fires the pic back saying, "we're in Canada, at Mile Zero of the Trans Canada a Highway!" Mary replies "is that where they filmed Twilight Awakening?" But still, you get the idea. The irony, of course, is that in fact if Jill does a 180 and takes another picture with Washington State's Olympic Peninsula in the background, that is where they filmed Twilight Awakening.
So with a decent marker that promotes #1 tourism to downtown Victoria and #2 promotes Beacon Hill Park, we can expect possible funding from:
DVBA
Tourism Victoria
BCAA
The Province
City of Victoria
Private individuals
Businesses
Tinto Rocks 2013 World Tour merchandise sales
Friends of Beacon Hill Park*
*Yes, that last one is a bit of a joke.
#4
Posted 30 May 2012 - 07:26 AM
I think the concrete footprint its on now is still sufficient. The new sign will be only slightly taller. That back side will have all the necessary extras needed to appease the blind, the Chinese children, the dumb.
What about those split seconds in which Pam Madoff wouldn't be able to see the water from behind the sign? Project fail.
#5
Posted 30 May 2012 - 08:11 AM
Know it all.
Citified.ca is Victoria's most comprehensive research resource for new-build homes and commercial spaces.
#6
Posted 30 May 2012 - 09:59 AM
I think a 12' wide raised relief map of Canada would be nice here.
North America? Not so much. The US would get in the way of getting close to Canada
Victoria current weather by neighbourhood: Victoria school-based weather station network
Victoria webcams: Big Wave Dave Webcams
#7
Posted 30 May 2012 - 10:09 AM
Know it all.
Citified.ca is Victoria's most comprehensive research resource for new-build homes and commercial spaces.
#8
Posted 30 May 2012 - 10:22 AM
Victoria current weather by neighbourhood: Victoria school-based weather station network
Victoria webcams: Big Wave Dave Webcams
#9
Posted 30 May 2012 - 11:26 AM
Isn't there an old BC relief map kicking around somewhere?
The Challenger Map from the PNE is still in a warehouse somewhere.
#10
Posted 30 May 2012 - 11:41 AM
Know it all.
Citified.ca is Victoria's most comprehensive research resource for new-build homes and commercial spaces.
#11
Posted 30 May 2012 - 11:50 AM
...and let's not forget the BC Experience map. It hasn't been sold, has it?
Yes, it's at Galey Farm.
#12
Posted 30 May 2012 - 02:53 PM
Also why not get a corporate sponsor? "ROYAL BANK PRESENTS: TIM HORTON'S ALWAYS FRESH MILE 0, brought to you by save on foods". If we could get 10-20 bucks from each of them why not, not like dignity has a price!
Could get shoe sponsors to compete for which runners terry fox is wearing as well. Why not! Save the tax payers some money! All about the money.
#13
Posted 30 May 2012 - 04:18 PM
This is the START of the Trans Canada Highway,
or, the END of the road baby,
if you just came from the East Coast
The big 0 That's all you get.
Oh! and I think football needs to change the 50 yard line to the 45.72 meter line.
#14
Posted 30 May 2012 - 06:30 PM
I am all for changing to Km 0.
#15
Posted 30 May 2012 - 06:43 PM
^ Clever! We should also change the 100m dash to the 109.361 yard dash.
I am all for changing to Km 0.
How about: "Mile Zero: Steve Fonyo Wuz Here"?
#16
Posted 30 May 2012 - 06:50 PM
How about: "Mile Zero: Steve Fonyo Wuz Here"?
There is a free-standing Steve Fonyo thing there.
http://www.victoria-...in Victoria.jpg
#17
Posted 31 May 2012 - 07:56 AM
there is one east of Winnipeg showing the geographic centre of Canada http://www.manitobap...interesting.htm
why not have a series of coordinated signs from one coast to the other to encourage travellers to stop and reflect on the size of this country. (if anyone can afford the gas to drive across it.)
#18
Posted 31 May 2012 - 09:49 AM
#20
Posted 31 May 2012 - 12:08 PM
So if update to KM 0 of the Trans Canada we would then be the most technically correct version in Canada.
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