The new digital sign proposed for Leaside Memorial Gardens has been approved by a City Council vote of 19 to 10. The electronic billboard was opposed by staff. Ward 22 Councillor Jon Burnside said the approval is good news for the community. Outfront Media applied for a bylaw variance after agreeing to pay the Leaside arena board an additional $40,000 a year in rent. The arena currently receives $9,500 for a much smaller, static billboard. Opponents included the Leaside Property Owners Association which fought the sign on its size, some ten times the legislation allowed, and a concern about it as a precedent. The digital sign has become a hot pitch from Outfront, which it has promoted it at different locations “It’s very disappointing that city council prioritized arena revenues over public safety,” Geoff Kettel, co-president of the Leaside Property Owners Association, wrote in email.
