A George Street crosswalk will soon be much more colourful. Prince George City Council unanimously approved a request to convert a crosswalk into a rainbow coloured ‘Pride Walk’ at this week’s council meeting.
Mayor Lyn Hall says the Pride Walk is a demonstration of the city’s inclusiveness but there are still a few details to be worked out.
“We didn’t come up with a location; we came up with an expenditure of $3,000 to put towards that.”
The chosen rainbow zebra design is the less expensive of the two options put to council. When asked about objections to the Pride Walk’s cost, Hall said standing in solidarity with the city’s LGBTQ community is worth the expense.
“I understand but when we take a look at the Pride Walk, I think it shows inclusiveness within our community. It’s just an opportunity for us to participate as a council and as a city and, as I say, be inclusive.”
Hall says the city spent more than $500,000 on sidewalks and crosswalks in 2015 and this year’s expenditures will be similar.
When asked about residents who might object to the Pride Walk on religious grounds, Hall had this to say:
“What I would say to them is everybody has their own feelings. Everyone has their own position on a number of issues and I would say that, if that’s their position, I would show respect for that position but this Council has supported it unanimously.”
Two existing crosswalks that bridge George Street beside City Hall have been suggested to become the Pride Walk.
No word yet on which one Council will choose or when the conversion will take place.
This year’s Prince George Pride celebrations kick off on July 8.