Peachland to paint large rainbow on sidewalk after controversy over crosswalk | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
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Peachland to paint large rainbow on sidewalk after controversy over crosswalk

The Peachland sidewalk will be painted in this style, which is the Kamloops Airport crosswalk at the building's arrival entrance.

Peachland council got to a stuttered start when it came to embracing the idea of a rainbow crosswalk, but they’ve taken on the inclusive project with gusto.

At a Dec. 10 meeting, council went over their plan for adding a bit of colour and pride to their downtown and opted for a rainbow sidewalk.

A rainbow will be painted on the sidewalk in front of the Peachland Visitor Centre, and it’s going to be bigger than most of the crosswalks around the Okanagan.

Peachland has chosen to have the lines run the length of the building.

“It will be like walking on a rainbow rather than crossing it,” a city staffer said in a meeting.

For the brighter and bolder gesture, the cost is an estimated $4,000, which is more than double the cost of the crosswalk that was initially suggested in the fall.

That project had an estimated cost of $1,500.

Coun. Patrick Van Minsel said that while he approved the concept of the project, he wasn’t keen on the ballooning price tag.

“I would like to stay by estimated cost of $1,500. That’s why I will vote against it,” he said.

Coun. Keith Fielding said that the upside of the brightly painted sidewalk is that it will need less upkeep than a crosswalk.

Councillors originally shot down Mayor Cindy Fortin’s request for a rainbow crosswalk, saying they wanted more information from town staff about the proposal.

Town resident Peter Diniz swayed council from that view and at a meeting in early November, council voted 4-1 to proceed with a rainbow crosswalk. Coun. Terry Condon was opposed.


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