The quirky sign dubbing the corner of Trail Avenue and Dolphin Street a “Lovers Lookout” was taken down by the District of Sechelt last week, much to the concern of some Coasters who treasured the wooden sign and the history it held.
Once taken down, it took just 18 minutes for the first complaint to come in, according to superintendent of parks and public works John Mercer.
Mercer took the sign down on Friday, Nov. 28 because the District was preparing to start fixing the sidewalk in the area and he didn’t want the sign to get damaged. While work in the area had not started by press time this week, Mercer said he expected it to be underway shortly.
The sidewalk on Trail Avenue is in need of repair as it drops off sharply when it intersects with Dolphin Street, which was why three poles and chains were erected at the site in 1987, to keep pedestrians from falling. The unfinished sidewalk and resulting chained-off area bothered nearby resident Dave Petrescu, who also happened to be a shop teacher and avid woodworker.
“My dad was quirky and he had a good sense of humour,” said daughter Sarah Petrescu, noting her dad made the sign as a joke in 1987, wanting to bring attention to the odd angle of the sidewalk and the sharp drop off.
Dave fastened the sign to the chains on the poles and there it has hung for more than 25 years, confusing and delighting passersby ever since.
Dave passed away about 10 years ago, but Sarah and her brother Nick have revisited the Lovers Lookout site over the years and refurbished the sign in memory of their father.
When they found out via social media that the sign was gone, they quickly contacted the District of Sechelt to ensure it wouldn’t be lost or discarded.
“I went in and grabbed the sign and I’m going to hold onto it until we figure out what to do with it as a family,” Nick said.
There are plans to possibly put the sign up at another site or return it to its original place if the sidewalk upgrades allow.
“But we don’t know for sure yet,” Nick said.
Sarah and Nick thank the community for their concern, voiced on a local Facebook message board, in emails and through phone calls, and say they are relieved the sign is safe.
