Replaced by the council earlier this year, the weathered welcome sign now has its own opportunity to help its town on Trade Me.
Bidding opened yesterday on the battered old blue board, with a reserve of $1000, and the auction runs for 10 days.
Specifications, history, suggested uses and plenty of high-spirited promotion for the roughly 3m by 1.5m painted sheet metal shape are detailed under the listing, and competitive bidding with a lively Q&A is anticipated.
The auction is being organised by Milton’s Bruce Community Facilities Trust fundraising committee to support the community’s contribution towards the $19.4 million Elsie Stewart Community Library and Pool complex, now under construction in central Union St.
Auction key organiser Kim Schiller said word had spread and she knew of at least one eccentric keen to collect the former landmark.
‘‘The growth here of business, tourism and now big public projects proves Milton was and always will be a town of opportunities ... We don’t need a sign yelling it out any more,’’ she said.
Its replacement, installed earlier this year, drops the slogan in favour of imagery highlighting the Tokomairiro’s wetlands, rolling hills, cycle trail connections and cultural heritage, including wetland kai collection.
Mrs Schiller said the new design had emerged from months of consultation involving local groups and designers, but it was hoped the old sign, retained by the pool committee, would spark a bidding war between collectors of quirky Kiwiana.
One of the two original signs will remain in community ownership for future display, while the sale listing for the ‘‘weathered, storied, slightly perforated, completely legendary’’ sign echoes its claim: ‘‘Milton. Still full of opportunities.’’
