Whether folks are just stopping by or have lived in the community their whole lives, the City of Armstrong wants everyone to feel welcome.
To that end, a rainbow sidewalk has been freshly painted right in front of the city’s welcome sign on Smith Drive, in celebration of the local LGBTQ2S+ community.
Photos of the sidewalk surfaced on social media Tuesday, showing a section of painted sidewalk cordoned off by traffic barriers.
The Armstrong Pride Society spearheaded the project, having formed in late 2021 with a mission to acknowledge, celebrate, support and reflect on the diversity of Armstrong and Spallumcheen citizens.
The society formed with the initial goal of bringing a pride sidewalk to life. While other communities including Coldstream have opted for a rainbow crosswalk, a sidewalk was decided on as it’s a cheaper option that will also require less maintenance, since there will be less wear an tear on the sidewalk than in the middle of the road.
“The preferred option of (city) staff is to create a sidewalk that is painted and in a high-profile location,” the society said in a Facebook update in January.
“Armstrong Pride is mindful of the symbolism a Pride Sidewalk can have, particularly for the young people in our community. We believe that our Armstrong Pride Sidewalk will go a long way to ensuring all our citizens feel they are supported, loved and, most of all, safe.”
The Pride Society estimated the cost at $5,000, and funds will be raised to maintain the sidewalk’s vibrancy. Concert fundraisers were held in February and March
The society will officially unveil the crosswalk on June 4 at 1 p.m.
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