Initially installed in Nathan Phillips Square for the 2015 Pan Am and Parapan Am Games, the Toronto sign’s popularity saw it remain and become a landmark.

(Vince Talott/Toronto Star)

But after more than four years, the city says the sign’s showing significant wear and tear and staff determined investing in a new, more durable sign made better sense.

Reserve funds will be used for the rebuild and existing operational budgets to cover the ongoing cost of maintenance and vinyl wraps.

The city’s also open to philanthropic support to be able to enhance the sign’s features.

The aim is to have the new sign,  visually a replica of the original, installed by year’s end in order to help ring in 2020.