Tuesday, June 01, 2004  
Jasper the Bear getting extreme makeover

:: Posted by max @ 6/01/2004 04:22:00 AM
Co:Bryan@CCArF - edmonton.cbc.ca



Calgary - After more than 40 years of loyal service, the official mascot of the city of Jasper getting a much-needed makeover. Jasper, the fiberglass-and-concrete bear, was shipped to Calgary this week for extensive repairs after it was severely damaged by vandals last month. The mascot has been armless after unknown vandals broke them off in early April. The landmark has been standing in downtown Jasper for the past four decades during which time it became a popular tourist draw. The president of Jasper Tourism and Commerce said the bear is in the hands of a Calgary company that specializes in building and repairing mascots.



"A decision will have to be made whether we're going to start fresh or repair this one," Bert Journault said. "We believe it's around 50 years old, so it might be more appropriate to just build a new one."



Jasper was built and installed in the town in the 1960s as an homage to a popular cartoon bear of the same name. A creation of cartoonist James Simpkins, Jasper the Bear was published in Maclean's Magazine and various newspapers for more than 30 years. The popular bear went on to become a tourist attraction and symbol for the city. Either a repaired or brand new Jasper will be back on Main Street within a month, Journault said.



Simpkins page at the the The Canadian Cartoonists Club

A Jasper strip at CCArF

    
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