The City of Kimberley is planning to remove the rainbow crosswalk at the Wallinger Avenue and Spokane Street cross-section, but install a separate symbol in support of the LGBTQ2S+ community.
City staff said the crosswalk is deteriorating due to traffic and the recent construction nearby.
In 2021 it cost $15,800 to install the crosswalk, but a 2025 quote for reinstallation was $30,000.
While some of the damage is from general traffic, the city said there has definitely been deliberate defacing of the crosswalk.
Councillor Jason McBain said they should look at an alternative show of support that can’t be easily tampered with.
“If we want to be honest with ourselves some of the degradation was from people doing really stupid things like burn outs and other things that I consider ignorant and discriminatory,” he said.
“What I would like to see is something that lessens the likelihood of somebody defacing, like a flag or other symbolism. I think a flag or series of flags that people can’t access would make the most sense.”
The city is open to placing flags near planter hangers on wooden welcome signs at the entrances to the platzl.
Some other ideas included a rainbow painted stairway from Wallinger Avenue to Selkirk High School, or a painted bench near the platzl, but these could be easily damaged.
Council will be deciding on the location and symbol at a future meeting.
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