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Omaha Beach locals have finished building a new ‘Welcome to Omaha Beach’ sign after the original was written off in a car accident almost two years ago.
The first sign was built in the 1990s by Mr Crooks, father of long-time Omaha resident, Judy Crooks.
For more than 20 years it was the first welcome to Omaha after crossing the causeway, its bright aqua blue wording greeting returning residents and visitors alike.
In 1999, the sign suffered its first major traffic accident, the posts and rock base were badly damaged, but the sign itself survived.
Finally, in 2015, an errant motorist succeeded in finishing off the demolition job and the base was unusable.
The sign itself quickly disappeared from the rubble. Reports followed of it appearing at the Warkworth Police Station, and a local hostelry. Finally it was returned to the site, and then promptly stolen again, never to reappear.
Last year, Omaha residents David Hanson, Ron McMahon, and a team of volunteers made a new sign and it was installed last month. The timber was supplied by the Matakana Sawmill and machined by Matakana Kitchens and Joinery.
Omaha Beach Community President Peter Hooper says they are indebted to the team of volunteers.
“We’d like to extend our thanks to David, Ron and the team from Omaha Beach Golf Club for doing an awesome job. We have our identity back, and can again welcome thousands of visitors to the beach from around the region every year.”
