Ironwood, GCC to share cost of new sign for Civic Center

By TOM LAVENTURE

tlaventure@yourdailyglobe.com

Ironwood — Three partners will allow for the replacement of an electronic sign for the Pat O’Donnell Civic Center to be larger and better placed, according to reports at the Ironwood City Commission meeting on Monday. 

The city of Ironwood’s insurance company has agreed to allow for the purchase of the sign, known as a a reader board, to replace standard signage as part of its coverage for the replacement of the Pat O’Donnell Civic Center that is due to be completed in late January 2021, according to city manager Scott Erickson.

A reader board is an electronic sign that can display digital information about news and events.

The civic center board approached Gogebic Community College about locating the reader board at the Jackson Road entrance for more readership from the road than it would have at the present building location, he said. GCC administration approved the location, as both the civic center and the Jackson Road entrance are campus property, and expressed interest in sharing costs in order to purchase a larger reader board and to share use of the reader board.

The city commission approved the shared ownership agreement with GCC that is based on the insurance company proposal to cover 40% and up to $24,000 of the shared cost for a new reader board. GCC would assume 60% ownership.

“This will improve everyone’s ability to get information out to the public,” Erickson said. “The sign will be in place this spring or early summer.”