While Flin Flon city council has committed to a temporary rainbow crosswalk during Pride Week, a permanent rainbow crosswalk is now on the table.
Members of the Flin Flon Pride Committee appeared before council during its June 5 committee of the whole meeting, where a permanent crosswalk was discussed.
“The temporary crosswalk was approved, and then I believe there was further dialogue after that about wanting a permanent crosswalk,” said Mayor Cal Huntley, who was absent from the May 15 meeting, during which the temporary rainbow crosswalk was approved.
“We won’t put a … multicoloured crosswalk on a provincial highway, so we won’t do [Highway] 10 or [Highway] 10A, and this is where we get into a discussion we haven’t had yet,” continued Huntley.
“I would be open to a crosswalk that runs — if you wanted it close to Main Street and permanent — parallel to. Maybe between the steelworker’s [union building] and the Royal Bank, or between Dembo’s and the post office.”
Coun. Colleen McKee expressed concern over the maintenance of a permanent crosswalk.
“Too often, as the City of Flin Flon, someone will create a nice park, something beautiful, and then they hand it over to the city to maintain,” said McKee.
“When volunteers do it, it doesn’t cost the city anything but paint and supplies to maintain it. When it becomes the city’s responsibility, then we are paying someone a lot of money to do that.”
Jordana Oulette, executive director of the Flin Flon Pride Committee, explained the committee has reached out to local businesses and has a potential sponsor lined up to assist in annual maintenance of the crosswalk. Mayor Huntley noted that if a permanent crosswalk were permitted, it may involve an agreement in which the Pride Committee would be responsible for maintenance of the crosswalk.
Coun. Karen MacKinnon said she would prefer to see only a temporary crosswalk implemented.
“You know I support what you guys are doing,” MacKinnon told the Pride committee.
“I think if it’s put on new every year during your event it would mean more. If you put up a crosswalk, it’s going to get worn out during the year … I think the temporary one would be a better effect for you, especially when you do everything out front [of City Hall]. It’s special just for that week. To me, it would have more meaning for you.”
Oulette said the committee was following the example of other cities that have implemented permanent crosswalks, and the idea of having a permanent crosswalk running parallel to Main Street as well as a temporary crosswalk that crosses Highway 10A in front of city hall during Pride Week was also floated.
Mayor Huntley stated that council would look at implementing a permanent crosswalk.
