Angel ‘gateway’ into Penetanguishene could change
Penetanguishene is considering making enhancements to the angel gateway into town.
Two trumpet-playing angels fixed on concrete blocks currently sit on either side of Main Street at Thompsons Road. The town hired WSP to study the existing location of these angels and what could possibly be done with them.
“We did an assessment of where they are and any potential impacts that may (occur) through the Main Street reconstruction project,” said Greg Bender of WSP Canada.
The report concluded that the angels should remain together, be kept opposite each other on either side of the road and should be relocated south.
“Where the angels are right now used to be the informal gateway to the town … and development is encroaching on that gateway,” said Bender.
“We heard from the heritage committee that it would make sense to relocate the angels to the municipal boundary to really ensure people know they are entering Penetanguishene at the municipal boundary and not at Thompsons Road.”
Bender proposed a series of redesigns, which included angels on pedestals ranging three to eight metres in height with walls, signage, banners or a connecting archway. Eight proposed designs had estimated costs as low as $331,000 and as high as $1.2 million.
Council has yet to debate the options.