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'At least it's not a Flames jersey': Island resort's mask sign goes viral

Oyster Bay Resorts in Campbell River is using humour to encourage people to wear a face mask. “Wear the mask,” reads its letterboard sign. “It’s not like we’re asking you to wear a Flames jersey.
Oyster Bay mask sign
Oyster Bay Resort's cheeky reminder to wear a mask is going viral. PHOTO: u/rinkydinkwestcoast / Reddit

Oyster Bay Resorts in Campbell River is using humour to encourage people to wear a face mask.

“Wear the mask,” reads its letterboard sign. “It’s not like we’re asking you to wear a Flames jersey.”

The burn on the Vancouver Canucks’ arch rivals was the work of Andy Peterson, a longtime Canucks fan.

A photo of the sign quickly made the rounds on social media, including Hockey Night in Canada’s Instagram, where it has racked up over 12,000 likes.

“It’s amazing how much it’s taken off,” Peterson said. “To see it shared on the Hockey Night in Canada page was just surreal. It was the greatest thing ever. I couldn’t believe it.”

The sign has been a hit in person as well, with many people stopping to take pictures. It has a slightly different message on the opposite side.

“A guy pulled in here Saturday and said, ‘I’ve got a bunch of friends that are Leafs fans, can you change one side to Leafs?’ and I said sure!” Peterson said with a laugh. “So one side says Leafs and the other side says Flames.”

Peterson was quick to point out that it was all in good fun and tongue in cheek. But some Flames fans didn’t find the joke funny.

“You wouldn’t believe the malicious calls my wife has had to deal with at the front desk,” he said. “One woman called saying she was from Red Deer and she just screamed for five minutes about how offensive it was and ‘how dare you.’ ”

“Another guy called and wanted to know how much it was for four chalets over Christmas,” he added. “It was going to be a little over two grand and then he said, ‘Well you can [expletive] kiss that goodbye, because I’m a Flames fan,’ and hung up.

“I can’t believe people act like that and take it that seriously,” he said. “It’s a sign, dude.”