After another prompting from the local Rainbow Club, town staff have will be approaching council next week with a proposal for a rainbow crosswalk in Collingwood.
This time, staff and the Rainbow Club have worked together on an idea to paint the rainbow crosswalk at the intersection of Simcoe and Ste. Marie Streets (by the Collingwood Public Library) and the LGBTQ2S+ club has agreed to help with the cost through fundraising efforts.
The idea first came to council in June 2020, but the pitch was to put the rainbow crosswalk on Hurontario Street somewhere. Staff deemed a Hurontario Street location not feasible because of the interlocking pavers and high traffic.
According to a staff report going to the corporate and community services committee meeting on Monday, March 29, the issues with Hurontario Street locations are mitigated by putting the crosswalk on Simcoe/Ste. Marie Streets.
The estimated cost for the crosswalk paint treatment is $7,500, and the Rainbow Club has agreed to raise $3,000 toward the project with the rest of the money coming from the town's existing parks, recreation and culture operating budget. Staff estimate it will take about two days to paint the crosswalk, and it can be done when the weather is warmer.
The staff report indicated the paint will likely have to be reapplied every two-to-three years and will be part of the road marking maintenance already undertaken by the town's public works department.
The proposal will go to the corporate and community services committee first on March 29, then it will need final approval from council.
