By Lexi McFarlane, Times Chronicle
Osoyoos Town Council approved a proposal at Tuesday’s regular Council meeting to allow a new mural to be installed honouring local firefighters.
The plan is for the mural to be implemented on the west side of the Osoyoos Fire Station. Local mural curator Mavik will create the fire station work, which has already had renderings generated for it. Those visuals of the mural show two fire trucks, one of an older generation and one of a newer generation, flanking an individual firefighter.
The Osoyoos Firefighters Charitable Society offered the contribution of funds for this mural, intending to finance the entirety of the project. Since the fire station is property owned by the Town of Osoyoos, a motion to approve from Council was necessary.
Osoyoos Chief Administrative Officer Rod Risling says that this would be a fantastic addition to a burgeoning mural scene in Osoyoos.
“We have a lot of murals in the community, and it’s something a lot of people do enjoy,” he said. “They go on walks, (just) to enjoy all the various murals in the community.”
The proposal states that the mural is intended to not only provide another visual attraction for Osoyoos residents and visitors, but also “to greet and motivate” firefighters upon their arrival at the station.
“It’s a morale booster for the firefighters,” said Risling.
The report noted that there is “minimal” risk in backing the project. One reason noted is the fact of the Town not having to provide any financial support for the installation of the mural. Additionally, the report notes, should the mural be hindered by insufficient maintenance, options such as painting it over in the future exist.
The hope, though, is that the mural will be around for a long time to come.
“I think this is a good news story by a bunch of fantastic people,” Risling said.
