Sidney Public Works crews are now painting a rainbow crosswalk by Beacon Park. Crews started painting half the crosswalk Tuesday and will continue with the other half in a few days so traffic can continue to move.
The idea for such a crosswalk came from a picture by Maggie Smith, a two-year old resident of Sidney. Mother and daughter dropped the picture off at Sidney Town Hall for Mayor Steve Price, and it was approved by Sidney Town Council three weeks later. Crews watched the weather before they painted as the process requires several dry days before and after.
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The crews are using a household floor paint because road paint does not come in all colours of the rainbow. With annual touchups, they said the crosswalk will last for years.
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The launch of the crosswalk will coincide with another initiative by Sidney/North Saanich RCMP to be more inclusive and supportive of LGBTQ people.
Sidney/North Saanich RCMP will be the first Vancouver Island detachment to roll out the Safe Place Program. Businesses, organizations or schools with a window sticker will pledge to provide a place for LGBTQ people to take shelter and call 911. Training is also available for program participants.
An unveiling of the crosswalk and the RCMP safety program is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 4 at 9:30 a.m.
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