There are 16 sidewalk benches along a seven-block stretch of Main Street that could be transformed to infuse colour, culture and community spirit into the downtown.
These seats — located between Oxford Street and Manitoba Street — would be part of a proposed Main Street Adopt-a-Bench Program. During the recent executive committee meeting, city council approved a recommendation 6-1 to adopt the program and send it to the April 22 regular council meeting for official approval.
Coun. Brian Swanson was opposed.
This program would address some recommendations from a report presented to council in June 2018, according to a city administration document. These benches would address:
- Aesthetics and charm: More colour would be added to the downtown, from colourful park benches to flowers and planters on streetscapes
- Profile and celebration of culture: Cultures would be celebrated and appreciated, not just behind museum walls, but in streets and public spaces
- Core amenities and services: These benches would be painted, while sidewalks would also be pressure washed and street lights cleaned
- People and culture: This program would encourage citizen engagement and ownership
Transit benches and plastic benches along Main Street would not be included in the program.
More information about the Adopt-a-Bench Program will soon be found on the City of Moose Jaw website. The recommendation has to be approved during the April 22 regular meeting to become official.
Council discussion
It is possible that the municipality could receive more than one application for a bench, or that groups, schools or individuals could want more than one, said Mayor Fraser Tolmie during the recent executive committee meeting.
Groups or individuals could look after multiple benches, but restrictions can be put in place if council wants, said Derek Blais, director of parks and recreation.
Logos and advertising would not be permitted, but organizations and individuals could install a small plaque or even paint the bench, Tolmie said. The whole point of the program is for residents to recognize who is looking after the bench.
“If we’re putting a moose on a bench, we are advertising our own community, or something historic. I would be open to that … ,” Tolmie added. “The Adopt-A-Bench Program is about taking ownership and having pride in keeping the city clean.”
Coun. Dawn Luhning was concerned whether businesses should be involved with the program at all. She didn’t want a bench with a team logo, but thought an artist or school could create something interesting.
This could be a project in which city council works with the art gallery or community artists, said Coun. Crystal Froese. She also agreed that council should stay away from logos or similar genres.
Instead of focusing on Main Street only, this program could focus on benches throughout the community, particularly Crescent Park, said Coun. Chris Warren. Some wooden benches near the Moose Jaw Public Library have nails sticking out and are splintered. He wondered if city hall could expand this program elsewhere.
City administration wanted to start small and have a featured area, said Blais.
Swanson thought the program would be beneficial if the benches were painted in an aesthetically pleasing way. However, his preference was to have an adopt-a-bench program that raised revenue through sponsorships.
The next executive committee meeting is Monday, April 22.
