This summer, downtown Orillia could feature four colourful crosswalks celebrating inclusion and diversity.
Coun. Pat Hehn introduced an inquiry motion at Monday night's council committee meeting calling for staff to look into the costs of painting the crosswalks at the intersection of Mississaga and West Street.
She ultimately received support from her peers for a staff report. Decisions made Monday are subject to ratification at next week's council meeting.
The suggested designs for the four crosswalks include the colours of the pride flag, the colours of the Indigenous medicine wheel to represent the different races, an orange striped crosswalk to honour children who attended residential schools, and a red and white striped crosswalk to represent all Canadians.
Hehn's suggestion would also include a red maple leaf painted in the centre of the intersection.
“I discussed this with (Rama First Nation) Chief Ted Williams yesterday and with Sherry Lawson, and they are both comfortable with the idea,” Hehn said, noting she also floated the idea to a local diversity committee that was also supportive of the initiative.
Council directed staff to bring back a report outlining the costs and feasibility of the project by May 9, with the goal of completing it by Canada Day should it ultimately gain council's approval.
Though generally supportive of the idea, councillors had a number of questions and comments about the idea.
“Are these interpretations the best way to go about representing these groups?” asked Coun. Mason Ainsworth. “I want to make sure that it's definitely something that's respectful.”
Ainsworth also wondered about the length of time the crosswalks would be painted, and pointed out instances where similar projects had been vandalized.
“Is the intention to do this for one year or is it to do this for an indefinite amount of time?” he asked. “I know a lot of other places that have done something similar to this, and they've also ran into a lot of issues in regards to vandalism, people doing burnouts on there, the paint coming off, things like that.
“I think having the report touch on the durability of the paint, what our plan is for things like vandalism, that sort of thing. I just want to make sure that that's all incorporated,” he said.
Other members of council were concerned about the potential costs.
“The City of Barrie had a (difficult) time with installing their pride flag on the street, when people (did) burnouts on it,” said Coun. Rob Kloostra.
“If it comes to a point where the price of doing this isn't between $5,000 and $10,000, I would maybe see that money spent on more enhanced line painting in the City of Orillia," said Kloostra.
“I will support this, provided that we get a price on it and we do it as a fundraiser rather than from the taxpayers of our community,” said Coun. Ralph Cipolla.
Mayor Steve Clarke, like Ainsworth, wondered whether the designs were the best way to represent each group of people, and questioned whether the project - due to its scope - would require interpretive elements to ensure people understand what it represents.
“Certainly, I am wholeheartedly in support of doing something that is meaningful and respectful and leads to greater inclusivity and reconciliation with different groups, and certainly our Indigenous friends,” he said. “I do want to make sure that whatever we do is meaningful and respectful.”
“My concern is, would it be confusing with the five different themes being represented?” Clarke asked. “If you are going to indeed have five different themes, do we need interpretation there, as well, to explain what's going on? Because some may certainly get it, and I believe that some may not.”
CAO Gayle Jackson pointed out that, due to the suggested timeline, it may be difficult to engage in thorough consultation regarding the project’s themes.
“Staff will do what they need to do in order to get the report in the form possible for May 9, but worth noting is that if council believes that will include significant consultation, then that May 9 date would not be possible,” she said.
