Kwantlen First Nation is replacing all of its old static billboards along the Lougheed Highway with two new digital billboards.
Seyem’ Qwantlen Business Group, a subsidiary of the Kwantlen First Nation, is installing the digital billboard systems. Both will be on band land within the borders of Maple Ridge.
One will be located on Kwantlen’s IR5 site, just east of Albion neighbourhood. The second will be on the band’s IR3 site adjacent to Silvermere Lake, east of Whonnock.
Both billboards will be visible to eastbound and westbound traffic on Highway 7.
“It could prove to be a good driver for our economic side,” said Peter Arkell, spokesman for the business group.
The new digital billboards will feature 10-by-20 foot LED displays that are designed to be “extremely energy efficient,” said Arkell.
The band’s business strategy is to sell advertising space to area businesses.
Arkell said the billboards will also be made available to local governments, free, on an emergency basis.
Pictographic Creative, an SQBG company, will design and deliver ad content in addition to managing ongoing sales.
Another of the Seyem’ companies, Coast Salish Technologies, will be responsible for ongoing technical and hardware support. The band has approximately 250 members.
“So far, we’ve received a positive response from the Kwantlen membership, other nations, our business partners and neighboring communities,” said Seyem’ vice-president Brenda Fernie. “The opportunity will allow us to create economic wealth and create jobs for our nation.”
The billboards are expected to go live by the end of March. These will replace all existing static billboards currently situated on Kwantlen Reserve Land.