The vibrant colours of a rainbow crosswalk could soon grace Jasper鈥檚 streets.
The project is the culmination of months of fundraising by OUT Jasper, which has collected more than $5,000 to install the crosswalk.
CAO Mark Fercho told councillors during a meeting on July 4 that the project would not cost taxpayers any money and the non-profit group would also be responsible for maintenance costs.
The project is the brainchild of OUT Jasper director Mychol Ormandy.
鈥淲e鈥檙e a community of diversity and now we just want to add a little bit more colour and do a crosswalk like other great towns to show support for the gay community,鈥� said Ormandy.
At this point no location has been selected, however in a letter to council the non-profit group stated its first choice would be the crosswalk across Connaught Drive from the train station to Whistler鈥檚 Inn.
Alternatively, the group also suggested it could also do a few smaller projects throughout town on a 鈥渢rial鈥� basis, including the crosswalk on Patricia Street between the post office and the Visitor Information Centre and another between Jasper Elementary School and the library. It also suggested the crosswalk in front of the TD Bank branch on Patricia Street would be a prime location.
According to documents provided to council it costs approximately $2,500 to complete one crosswalk.
During the discussion Fercho assured councillors that OUT Jasper would also be responsible for repairing any vandalism that could occur.
鈥淲e鈥檝e been very upfront and overt with them about the fact that there is potential for vandalism to occur,鈥� Fercho said, adding OUT Jasper has enough money to pay for repairs.
The issue will come back for further discussion at a committee-of-the-whole meeting on July 11.
Paul Clarke
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