The County of Renfrew has received a request to paint a rainbow crosswalk at a busy intersection in Petawawa.
A local resident is asking that the crosswalk at the intersection of County Road 51 (Petawawa Boulevard), Portage Road and Victoria Street, by the McDonald’s, be repainted to recognize the LGBTQIA2S+ community.
The County of Renfrew will look for support from the Town of Petawawa before doing any work in 2023.
Director of Public Works Lee Perkins says the County does not currently have a decorative crosswalk policy, but staff will work to develop one.
Warden Debbie Robinson suggested looking to nearby municipalities such as Pembroke where a rainbow crosswalk has been in place since 2019.
Robinson says she’s supportive of this initiative.
Chair of the operations committee and McNab/Braeside Mayor Tom Peckett says he’s glad to see the request go back to Petawawa so the town has a say.
The proponent would be responsible for any costs associated with painting, maintaining and repainting the crosswalk.
(written by: Rudy Kadlec)

