Midcoast Morning

The O in Nanaimo’s downtown sign is getting a new design after several incidents of vandalism over the last few years. 

The sign was installed in Maffeo Sutton Park in 2021. Each of the five foot letters in Nanaimo are painted white, except for the O, which features a rainbow design made up of 15 coloured segments.

A release from the city at the time the sign went up said that: 

“The colourful "O" can mean different things to different people. For example, the different colours in the “O” represents(sic) the diversity of the 100,000 plus voices who have shaped and continue to shape our spectacular City. It also represents an inclusive Nanaimo, full of opportunity for generations to come.”

The O has since been vandalized on multiple occasions, most recently it was painted entirely white.

At one point last year, the O was spray painted with the words “no WEF”, a reference to the world economic forum.

At a meeting Monday Nanaimo city council voted 6-3 in support of a staff recommendation to commission a new design for the sign.

Midcoast Morning brings you the debate on the issue and speaks with Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog.

Show Notes

The O in Nanaimo’s downtown sign is getting a new design after several incidents of vandalism over the last few years. 

The sign was installed in Maffeo Sutton Park in 2021. Each of the five foot letters in Nanaimo are painted white, except for the O, which features a rainbow design made up of 15 coloured segments.

A release from the city at the time the sign went up said that: 

“The colourful "O" can mean different things to different people. For example, the different colours in the “O” represents(sic) the diversity of the 100,000 plus voices who have shaped and continue to shape our spectacular City. It also represents an inclusive Nanaimo, full of opportunity for generations to come.”

The O has since been vandalized on multiple occasions, most recently it was painted entirely white.

At one point last year, the O was spray painted with the words “no WEF”, a reference to the world economic forum.

At a meeting Monday Nanaimo city council voted 6-3 in support of a staff recommendation to commission a new design for the sign.

Midcoast Morning brings you the debate on the issue and speaks with Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog.

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Creators and Guests

Host
Joe Pugh
Host and producer for Midcoast Morning, and is a journalist with CHLY 101.7FM's Nonprofit Newsroom Project.
Editor
Jesse Woodward
Executive Director / Executive Producer / Managing Editor at CHLY 101.7FM

What is Midcoast Morning?

Typically running 28 minutes, Midcoast Morning covers local news and current affairs happening in Nanaimo and on the Salish Sea. Midcoast Morning largely focuses in on one big story per show, interviewing reporters about their stories, as well as those making news and those impacted by it. We also feature the curators and creators in our local arts and culture scene.

Midcoast Morning broadcasts and podcasts every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning at 8:30 AM.

Tune in at www.chly.ca/listen or CHLY 101.7FM in Nanaimo and on the Salish Sea. Find the podcast at www.chly.ca/podcasts alongside other podcasts from our station.