They are eight years old, weathered and need to be replaced.

The large Rugby signs at the four main entrances into the city, that is.

The Greater Rugby Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) is planning to replace the signs. The existing blue signs, made of wood, are in poor condition.

Don Sobolik, CVB secretary, said the entity is considering replacing them with more permanent structures, using brick or block. Of course, that will be more expensive, likely double the price of the existing ones, which cost $2,500 apiece. There is also talk of installing lights to illuminate the signs at night. However, providing electricity to them is posing a challenge.

Sobolik said the CVB is looking into funding sources. The goal is to have the new signs in place for the Rugby-Pierce County 125th anniversary in 2011.

If something seems missing along U.S. Highway 2 and N.D. Highway 3 in Rugby, you’re right.

The familiar red, white and blue welcome banners placed high on light standards along the highways are not there.

The banners, which were furnished by the CVB, have not been reinstalled because the CVB is waiting on new brackets that hold the banners to be fastened to the new light poles along U.S. 2, Sobolik said. In addition, there are broken brackets needing to be replaced on light standards along N.D. 3. In the past, Otter Tail Power has been kind enough to put up the banners when they have time, at no cost to the CVB, but crews have been busy and have not been able to get to it. The CVB has also checked into other local companies capable of positioning the brackets and banners on the light poles.

Sobolik said the CVB has approximately three dozen new banners, but with road construction along N.D. 3 in town, and the calender approaching mid-July, plans to put up the banners will have to wait until next year. The banners are taken down in the fall.

Another project the CVB is involved in is funding a fountain to be included on the grounds between the Northern Lights Tower and information kiosk and the Prairie Village Museum. Improvements have already been made to the area, including flower beds, trees and shrubs.