Cariboo pride is on full display in Williams Lake that now officially has a rainbow crosswalk.
Members and supporters of the Williams Lake Pride Committee watched as crews with Yellowhead Pavement Marking from Terrace laid down Thursday morning the colors symbolizing life, healing, sunlight, nature, serenity, and spirit at the corner of 4th Avenue and Borland Street.
“This was all started by Willa Julius, but she’s in Thailand right now,” said interim president of the Committee, Chastity-Blu Wright
“I can’t wait for her to come back and see it.”
“It’s so very exciting and I know all of us with the Committee are pretty happy and we’re going to come back later tonight to take pictures once everyone is free to come on down.”
Wright says that the location for the crosswalk was determined as the Central Cariboo Arts Centre was very supportive of it and they have a pride flag that is up each day.
She says there has been a mixture of reaction from the public with some being confused by what is going on, others cheering, and some even expressing that it will possibly get vandalized.
“We have high hopes that maybe they will just let it be you know it’s color, it’s beautiful,” Wright said.
“If anything happens I guess we will just have to keep fundraising and keep it bright and beautiful as it is.”
The cost for the installation of the rainbow crosswalk was covered by the Pride Committee through fundraisers and donations by community members and numerous businesses.
“Even the negative comments has helped pull in the people who actually want to help so they’ve made donations and they’ve been very supportive,” said Wright.
“So there is a plan for a way to maybe get a plaque to remember and show all of the donators.”
The Pride Committee will be meeting tonight to vote in chair members and invites anyone interested in attending to message them on Facebook.