Photo by Shaun Penner/Everything GP

By Liam Verster

Grande Prairie Stompede Association

Kelly Sutherland welcome sign may be moved from the City to County land

Dec 29, 2020 | 9:30 AM

The City of Grande Prairie has approached the County with a proposal to move the welcome sign featuring the likeness of chuckwagon driver Kelly Sutherland to County property.

The sign, which was erected along 100 Street in the 1990’s, is located on City land that was granted to the Grande Prairie Stompede Association. The sign was created thanks to anonymous donations to the association, and members of the association are in charge of its maintenance and upkeep.

However, Arlen Miller, the Community Services Director for the City of Grande Prairie, says the sign was intended to act as a complement to the City’s own welcome signs, which have now been replaced.

He says that, along with the fact the City has new signs, with the work to change the flow of traffic, it makes sense to move the sign.

“With the new bypass that now goes around the City, we thought it would be a good time to move the Kelly Sutherland sign to outside of the City, and it would increase the exposure as well,” says Miller.

He adds that 100 Street used to be the main corridor for those entering the City, but the new traffic pattern means fewer people will travel along the road and see the sign.

Despite being created with the intention of being a welcome sign to the City of Grande Prairie, Trevor Denis, President of the Grande Prairie Stompede Association, says he understands the decision to move the sign.

Denis says while plans are yet to be finalized, he has a few ideas as to where the sign should go.

“A little bit further north of where it is now, or on the west side of town,” says Denis. “Wherever the most traffic is, and makes the most sense for the City and County to put the sign itself.”

He adds the sign not only promotes the Stompede, but is also a symbol of pride for the region.

“Kelly is the best chuckwagon driver ever. He’s from our region and it’s nice to celebrate and recognize icons in our community like that.”

Reeve for the County Leanne Beaupre says though it is the Grande Prairie Stompede, she was always surprised that the sign was on City land as Sutherland was a councillor and is a resident of the County. Evergreen Park, where the Stompede takes place, is also on County land.

She says the County is happy to be involved with the Stompede, and would be glad to be the new home of the sign.

“It’s part of our heritage, and I think that it’s history that can’t be re-written,” says Beaupre. “It is something that our County is very proud of and I believe recognizing Mr. Sutherland for his accomplishments is something we as a council can get behind.”

She says administration is not only exploring possible locations for the sign, but also partnerships similar to the one the group has with the City that would see the association be in charge of maintenance of the sign.

Miller adds moving the sign from 100 Street will help with the long-term plan to widen the road to six lanes, though he says that may not happen for another few years.

Discussions between the City, County and Stompede Association for the sign’s new permanent home are ongoing, but Miller says a location should be finalized over the winter, and moved in the spring.