WINNIPEG - September 5, 2008 – Committed to improving our City’s antiquated highway welcome signage, Mayor Sam Katz, joined by Economic Development Winnipeg Inc. president Stuart Duncan and  one of the top up-and-coming race car drivers in western Canada – Manitoban David Richert, today unveiled the first of ten newly designed Welcome to Winnipeg signs at the City’s Highway 1 West entrance at Headingley. As a result of the overwhelming citizen response to the Mayor’s call in July for a new message to adorn the signs, the ten redesigned and bilingual signs read: Welcome to Winnipeg – Heart of the Continent/ Bienvenue à Winnipeg – Au cœur du continent.

“I am pleased to have updated our welcome signs by sharing this opportunity with Winnipeggers who have selected their preferred message ‘heart of the continent’,” said Mayor Sam Katz. “We received an incredible amount of wonderful and creative suggestions and I feel it makes a very strong statement about how passionate our citizens are about sharing our identity and boasting about everything great that makes us Winnipeggers. I want to thank everyone for their submissions.”

“On behalf of the City of Winnipeg, Economic Development Winnipeg Inc. proactively initiated getting the city’s aging and tired entry signs replaced,” said Stuart Duncan, President of Economic Development Winnipeg Inc. Inc.  “We are pleased that the 10 new highway signs have been completed on time and below budget through our diligent, cost-efficient efforts and the reuse of existing sign infrastructure.  Economic Development Winnipeg Inc. is proud to have developed a fresh, new look for Winnipeg’s entry signs utilizing the city’s iconic Esplanade Riel, with our river and cityscape, set against our big prairie sky.“  

“I was a regular daily commuter to Winnipeg for five years to attain my Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Manitoba so I’m very glad to see the blasé old signs are being replaced with something so much more exciting and appealing,” said David Richert, Western Canada’s top driver and competitor in the 2008 Clean Diesel Jetta TDI Cup. “I’ve always loved Winnipeg and it’s great to see Winnipeggers get to share their pride with everyone when they enter the City.

Economic Development Winnipeg Inc. led the re-design issued a request for quotes for production and installation that was awarded to Contempra Signs, and project managed the contractors. The total cost for the 10 highway signs is $29,000.  Also on behalf of the City, Economic Development Winnipeg Inc. will replace the seven outdated banners on Pembina Highway and the Perimeter, which will integrate the new sign design, for $9,000. The entire project was completed $12,000 under the $50,000 budget.

The “One Great City” signs currently in place at 10 city entrances were installed in 1990 and have been an item of debate for many Winnipeggers who have routinely asked to have an updated greeting to instill civic pride and welcome visitors to our City. The remaining nine signs and the will be installed early next week.

WINNIPEG - September 5, 2008 – To recognize the record-breaking success of Winnipeg Blue Bomber Milt Stegall, Mayor Sam Katz today joined by Bombers President and CEO Lyle Bauer and the CFL's all-time touchdown leader Milt Stegall, today officially unveiled ‘Milt Stegall Drive’.

“Milt’s exceptional performance both on and off the field has given Winnipeggers plenty to cheer about and be proud of,” said Mayor Sam Katz. “By honouring his achievements in a permanent way, Winnipeggers can continue to honour Milt’s perseverance, passion, and commitment to the City of Winnipeg.”

Stegall, who has spent a total of 13 seasons in Winnipeg, became CFL's all-time touchdown leader after scoring his 138th touchdown against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on July 27th, 2007 at a sold out Canad Inns Stadium.

“Milt’s accomplishments in his career have been remarkable and this is yet another tribute to a deserving man and athlete,” said Lyle Bauer, president and CEO of the Blue Bombers. “Milt has become such an integral part of the city in his career, and now generations of Winnipeggers will forever remember his legacy.”

“It is an honour and a privilege that I’ll be a part of Winnipeg forever!” remarked Stegall, who is 67 yards away from becoming the CFL’s all-time leading receiver. “I would like to thank everyone involved for making this happen – Mayor Sam Katz, Lyle Bauer, the Blue Bombers organization and all of the great fans in the City of Winnipeg. And remember – make sure your shoes are clean when walking on ‘Milt Stegall Drive’.”

Mayor Katz brought a motion forward to City Council in September of 2007 to rename Arena Road to ‘Milt Stegall Drive’ which was passed unanimously.