Rainbow crosswalk emerges downtown
Posted Aug 25, 2015 9:55 am.
Last Updated Aug 25, 2015 12:45 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Calgary’s first-ever pride crosswalk has been painted; the colourful new look brightening up Municipal Plaza overnight.
The $8,000 venture was driven by private donations and Pride Calgary.
The original location for the rainbow crosswalk was at 17th Ave and 4th St. SW, but was reassigned to cross Macleod Trail at 8th Ave SE.
“We felt, as an organization, [17th Avenue] wasn’t in the right location,” Pride Calgary Director of Government Affairs, Craig Sklenar said. “We all agreed it should be in the most public place possible, which is right in front of City Hall.”
An idea from Ward 4 councilor Sean Chu got the ball rolling, but the organization took control of the project.
“We [Pride Calgary] are footing the entire bill, we felt tax payer dollars could go to better use, and we have the fundraising capabilities to pay for it,” Sklenar said.
Donations are being accepted for the project, and if enough money is raised, the group will start collecting for a second crosswalk to be painted next year.
