Kamloops is taking steps to be a visibly inclusive community. This rainbow crosswalk intersection is at Lawrence Avenue and Pandosy Street in downtown Kelowna.
Image Credit: Okanagan Pride
June 25, 2019 - 3:57 PM
KAMLOOPS - Kamloops may see a little more colour in its downtown core.
Sam Numsen from Kamloops Pride went before Kamloops city council today, June 25, to discuss the idea of another rainbow crosswalk in the city. Currently, there are rainbow crosswalks located at the Kamloops Airport and Thompson Rivers University.
Numsen highlighted the need for a rainbow crosswalk somewhere on public property and accessible, so that the City of Kamloops may be a visibly inclusive community.
“We’re grateful for that work being done and that was done over the past few years, we certainly appreciate that. Downtown, though... we don’t have a permanent rainbow crosswalk on public roads,” said Numsen.
He suggested putting the crosswalk at 3rd Avenue and Lansdowne Street, or 3rd Avenue and St Paul Street, near the farmers market, or at any location downtown where people of the LGBTQ2S+ community and allies may see it.
He addressed safety concerns that may come from having a non-traditional pedestrian crossing, noting that Edmonton found white lines painted on either side of a rainbow crosswalk would maintain the level of safety needed.
Numsen said he hopes that the city will pay for the installation and maintenance.
City staff have acknowledged that there are many intersections to consider, as long as they don’t paint the crosswalk on a brick crossing. A higher traffic intersection would bring more attention to the project, but a quieter area would mean less maintenance over the years.
The paint used for the crosswalk is something to consider as well. One type considered is thermoplastic, which would cost about $10,000 for one rainbow crosswalk. Approximately every four to five years it may cost between $5000 and $10,000 to maintain, depending on circumstances. If it’s painted in a low traffic area, it would be less to maintain.
Another option, methyl methacrylate, is skid-resistant paint which maintains a high colour durability. The cost estimate for that product has not been released. Future discussions will determine which method is best.
David Trawin, city administrator, said the crosswalk could be built for the pride celebrations in August if the ball gets rolling right away. He said it would be about six weeks to plan, order materials, and execute the painting.
Staff will come back with a report on the various options to consider cost, location, materials, and other factors.
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