The project consisted of three phases, each essential to creating a seamless guest experience. Photos courtesy PM Signs
Learn how PM Signs brought Bear Hills Casino’s visual identity to life with large-scale exterior signage, a towering pylon, and detailed interior wayfinding for its opening.
By Cody Mathiesen
When the Bear Hills Casino, located in Alberta, wanted a comprehensive mix of signs to help establish the casino’s visual identity as it threw its doors open, PM Signs was chosen to bring the vision to life. From exterior signs that light up the landscape to interior wayfinding signage guiding visitors through the space, the company oversaw a transformation that has satisfied the casino, the contractor, and visitors.
Bear Hills Casino & Travel Resort is owned by the Louis Bull Tribe, one of the Four Nations of Maskwacis and part of the Cree nations. PM Signs won the contract for the project after submitting a competitive proposal to Carlson Construction, the project’s general contractor. After looking at the concept design, we scaled it up and recommended the best materials to suit the project.
The project consisted of three phases, each essential to creating a seamless guest experience. The first phase was designing and installing large-scale signage for the building’s exterior, including the primary identification signs visible from afar. Next came the key feature of the project, which was the 6.09-m (20-ft)-tall pylon sign designed to capture the attention of drivers and visitors as they approached the casino. The final phase consisted of a thorough wayfinding package, which included signage for rooms, lounges, the kitchen, slots, washrooms, and entrance/exit features, ensuring guests can easily navigate the expansive facility.
In total, PM Signs crafted 1.5-m (5-ft)-tall LED channel letters for the exterior, a towering 6.09-m (20-ft) pylon sign, and 304.8-mm (12-in.) channel letters for interior wayfinding. Some interior signs, like those for washrooms, were acrylic non-lit signs, while others used LED lighting to enhance visibility.
Interior signage was mounted onto the walls, with the team running wiring behind the walls to connect the signs to power supplies.
The exterior signage was made from aluminum with white plastic faces for the LED channel letters, while the pylon was built with sturdy steel and other materials that would ensure stability in all weather conditions.
Like any large-scale project, the installation presented several challenges, all met with careful planning and technical expertise. The first challenge was the casino’s exterior wall, which sloped at an angle and required PM Signs to carefully calculate how to mount the signage so it would be levelled. This meant customizing the mounting poles to ensure the sign aligned correctly.
During the spring, when the pylon was being built, wet, muddy conditions created a few complications. Drilling for the foundation required water to assist with the process, making it messy but manageable. Despite these conditions, the pylon was securely installed and is now one of the most striking features of the casino.
The interior signage posed another challenge—PM Signs couldn’t begin fabrication until final wall sizes and configurations were confirmed. With a tight timeline leading up to the grand opening, the team had to work quickly to complete the interior wayfinding package on time.
The installation was a co-ordinated effort that required precision and expertise at every step. The team surveying the building, creating an installation pattern, and pre-drilling holes for the mounting poles made the process easier. They also ran the necessary electrical wiring before mounting each LED channel letter individually.
For the pylon installation, the team drilled holes, inserted steel cages, and poured concrete with anchor bolts to secure the structure. Once the concrete set, the poles, cabinets, and cladding were installed, followed by electrical hookups.
From exterior signs that light up the landscape to interior wayfinding signage guiding visitors through the space, the company oversaw a major transformation.
Interior signage was mounted onto the walls, with the team running wiring behind the walls to connect the signs to power supplies. Some washroom signs were peel-and-stick decals, while others were securely pin-mounted to the drywall.
Excellent collaboration between PM Signs and Carlson Construction made the project’s success possible. Carlson Construction’s project managers communicated clearly about wall timelines and electrical placements, ensuring everything was installed on schedule. The execution shows the importance of collaboration, flexible design, and perfect planning. We were thrilled to have worked on the project and are proud of the tremendous response from visitors and residents. A casino isn’t built in a day. In fact, the journey to building this casino began decades ago—but that’s a story for another day.
Cody Mathiesen is vice-president of PM Signs.
