Oshawa in no hurry for new slogan with new centenary signs to welcome visitors

Oshawa will be installing new signage commemorating the city’s upcoming centenary on welcome signs around the city, with the reproductions replacing the now retired ‘Prepare to be Amazed’ logo.

The cost of replacing the signs with a new motto would be considered during 2024 budget deliberations but the centenary signage will do just fine for now in times of restrained spending, said Oshawa Councillor John Gray.

“It’s just not a high priority to come up with a new moniker for Oshawa right now,” he said.

Oshawa has been long associated with the auto industry with “Motor City” and the “City that Motivates Canada” taglines before adopting the “Prepare to be Amazed” slogan in 2006 to mixed reviews.

The City decided to retire the Prepare to be Amazed slogan last November but will continue to use the four-colour ‘Oshawa’ logo in the future, just without the tagline.

The cost of replacing the signs is expected to come in under $30,000.

The wood frame structure would remain as is. The portion of the sign that contains the city crest, the word ‘Welcome’ and Oshawa logo will be reprinted. An outside vendor is printing the new signs and Operations staff will install them.

At the same time staff will be installing another piece of signage on the wood frame to celebrate the centennial anniversary that will be placed under the ‘population’ tab.

Oshawa, which was incorporated as a ‘city’ in 1924, will be commemorating that occasion during a year-long centenary party next year.