Erin Haluschak
Record staff
Following a staff report from a request last year to consider replacing a crosswalk within the town with a rainbow crosswalk, council unanimously forwarded a resolution to purchase a rainbow flag instead, citing ongoing costs as a deterrent.
In her report, the town’s municipal engineer Shelly Ashfield explained the total costs to install a crosswalk is approximately $14,000, based on eight colours. In comparison, a regular crosswalk is approximately $1,000 for the white thermoplastic paint and $500 for regular white roadway marking paint.
In a letter to council last fall, Comox resident and oral surgeon Dr. Andreas Conradi noted he would be willing to sponsor the project.
Maintenance costs, wrote Ashfield, would vary, but estimated annual costs to maintain a coloured crosswalk would be around $2,500 and a five-year replacement cost of about $14,000.
Coun. Russ Arnott suggested the idea of a flag, and noted it should be raised specifically during Pride Week.
“The idea of a sidewalk is a great idea, but a costly one,” he added.