Second time was a charm at city council for Salmon Arm Daybreak Club Rotarians and their Light the Lake project.
In April, council received a letter from the club's Light the Lake chair Rich Smith, asking for support of an initiative to drum up the remaining $50,000 needed for the project estimated to cost $202,800.
“To help bridge this funding gap, we would like to seek Council’s permission to construct a visually appealing precast concrete sign to be placed at the 6th Street NE entrance of the McGuire Lake Park,” wrote Smith. “On this sign we would affix plaques to recognize the businesses and individuals who have donated to this cause.”
Though council has been supportive of the project, it did not support the request, expressing concerns around the plaques recognizing businesses. Coun. Louise Wallace Richmond said she was “philosophically… opposed to corporate branding in public parks.”
On Aug. 12, council received another written request for permission from Smith and the Rotary Club, along with an in-person appearance by Smith, who said he'd spoken with the mayor and individual councillors after the April decision and offered clarification around the club's intention for the sign. He explained it was never the club's intent for the sign to be a hodgepodge of business banners. What the club is seeking is a two- by three-metre sign with the Rotary wheel taking up about two-thirds of it. The remaining space would be used for 10 plaques (one per light post to be installed) recognizing donors only by name, "no business logos or anything like that."
The project involves lighting the pathway around McGuire Lake.To date the club has raised $125,000 and has been looking at ways to raise the remaining needed funds. The sign is proposed to go at the 6th Street NE entrance to McGuire Lake Park.
If council didn't support the sign, Smith proposed the shortfall be made up through the city's budget.
Coun. Debbie Cannon shared her gratitude for clarification and tabled a motion to support the club's request for permission.
"I think we have the information we were lacking the last time it was presented to us and I think if that brings this project to fruition I’d like to see it go ahead," said Cannon.
In response to Coun. Sylvia Lindgren, Smith clarified the request for proposals for the lighting included their being on a timer so that the lights wouldn't be on through the night.
Coun. Tim Lavery said he still had concerns about the lighting and the proposed sign, but he would support the "worthwhile" endeavour.
"Mr. Smith, your diligence is paying off," said Lavery. "It’s a good thing to do and I will vote in favour."
Mayor Alan Harrison thanked Smith for coming to council and was optimistic about what the sign could look like. He referred to the recently opened public walking track at Rogers Rink, a project let by Rotary Club of Salmon Arm.
"One of the nicest things of the walking track is the sponsor recognition sign," said Harrison. "It is tasteful, it’s attractive – I have no doubt this one will be as well so I will support this motion."
