Council has agreed in principle to give money to a Campbellton community group to put up banners around the area.
At its June 22 meeting, council endorsed giving the Campbellton Neighbourhood Association $10,000 – through a beautification grant – to help liven up the area.
To that end, the association wants to put up 40 colourful fish banners on Ministry of Highways lamp standards along Highway 19A and on Tamarac and Willow streets.
The work is expected to cost $10,000 but the Neighbourhood Association has already secured a $2,000 donation from the Pacific Salmon Foundation and would use $8,000 from the city grant to make up the remaining balance.
A letter to city council from the Neighbourhood Association says the banners will spruce up the northern end of the city.
“The art represents the mighty Campbell River, a world class asset to the city and North Island,” the letter reads. “Local artists Larry Stefanyk and Curtis Wilson have created their interpretations of the local sockeye salmon.
“This project will result in a friendlier atmosphere for industry and tourism entering and existing Campbell River, highlight the strong salmon presence that the Campbell and Quinsam rivers provide us with, and showcase local art from the region.”
Mayor Andy Adams said he looks forward to the banners going up.
“I think it’s great. The drawings for the banners that Larry Stefanyk has drawn up will be absolutely outstanding,” Adams said.
Coun. Ron Kerr, who holds the Campbellton portfolio for council, said the project will be a good investment for the city.
“I think it’s an exciting project, well worth the money we’re paying,” Kerr said. “In fact, I think we’re certainly receiving more. It’s a good investment.”
Kerr also praised the other piece of the Neighbourhood Association’s plan for beautification – a community garden in Campbellton Park that is nearly complete.
“The community garden is moving along quite well and I think it’s going to be quite a successful project also,” Kerr said.
The association intends to put $2,000 of the city grant towards completion of the 16-bed garden, which has already garnered $2,000 in donations from local businesses.
The Campbellton grant is just one of four that city council approved during budget planning in January.
Council agreed at that time to provide annual beautification grants of up to $10,000 to not only the Campbellton Neighbourhood Association but also the Downtown Heart of the City Business Improvement Area Association (BIA), the Pier Street Association, and the Willow Point BIA.
The Downtown BIA submitted an application for its beautification grant last month.