Osoyoos residents are being asked to cast their ballots in the fifth annual Great Places in Canada. Michelle Quail, business development officer with the Osoyoos Credit Union, has entered Main Street in Osoyoos in the Best Street category in the national contest. Residents can cast their ballots until Sept. 24. Unlike other contests, people will only be allowed to cast one ballot per computer, so it’s important all local residents participate, said Quail. (Kirsten McLean photo)

Osoyoos residents are being asked to cast their ballots in the fifth annual Great Places in Canada. Michelle Quail, business development officer with the Osoyoos Credit Union, has entered Main Street in Osoyoos in the Best Street category in the national contest. Residents can cast their ballots until Sept. 24. Unlike other contests, people will only be allowed to cast one ballot per computer, so it’s important all local residents participate, said Quail. (Kirsten McLean photo)

Osoyoos residents are being asked to cast their ballots in a national contest called Great Places in Canada.

Michelle Quail, business development officer with the Osoyoos Credit Union, is spearheading the drive to have Main Street in Osoyoos named as Best Street in the national contest, which is also accepting nominations for Best Neighbourhood and Best Public Place.

This is the fifth year the national contest has taken place.

The “people’s choice” in each category will be determined by a panel of professional planners chosen by the Canadian Institute of Planners, said Quail.

All nominators in this contest will be entered into a random draw for prize. The draw will be held after the voting deadline, which is set for Sept. 24 at 11:59 p.m.

The finalists will be announced on Oct. 20 and the national winners announced on Nov. 4.

“I had some information about this national contest come across my desk at the credit union a few months ago and I made some inquiries and tried to enter, but it was too late several months ago,” said Quail. “The contest organizers contacted me once again in June and I wanted to make sure we had everything in place to enter the contest and showcase our Main Street during our Canada Day Cherry Fiesta celebrations.

“We hired a couple of professional photographers … and captured the spirit of the biggest event we hold on Main Street every year.”

She admits she’s a little biased, but Quail truly believes Main Street in Osoyoos is one of best places in Canada.

“I grew up on Main Street in Osoyoos and I’ve worked at the Osoyoos Credit Union on Main Street for the past seven years and I just happen to think it’s a wonderful place,” she said. “It truly is the hub of our beautiful little town and with the views of beautiful Osoyoos Lake, I don’t think you’re going to get a more amazing view from any main street in Canada.

“It’s beautiful and breathtaking and I know most people who live here and visit our town think the same way.”

On the contest website, it states, “a noteworthy street is one that is, above all, unique. It may be the architecture, the types of businesses lining the sidewalk or the annual festivals that have become synonymous with that street’s name.

“Rather than being a simple thoroughfare, people visit a great street to enjoy its ambience, to shop, dine and gather. This is supported by a sustainable business culture, welcoming visitors of multiple generations and social backgrounds and the incorporation of environmentally sustainable features. In larger urban areas, providing multiple options for transportation that create safe, healthy spaces further supports a great street.”

Quail was going to nominate Gyro Park as Best Public Space, but Revelstoke had already nominated its downtown park and she didn’t want to compete directly with another small B.C. municipality in this contest.

“Maybe next year … because Gyro Park is certainly one of the best public spaces of any small town I’ve ever seen,” she said.

Unlike other contests where individuals can vote as many times as they so desire, this contest only allows one vote per person, so it’s important that local residents do their part and cast ballots, she said.

“You can only cast one ballot per IP address on your computer,” she said. “That’s why it’s important that we get as many local residents as we possibly can taking just a couple of minutes to cast their ballot and help put Osoyoos once again on the national map.

‘It’s going to take a community effort for Osoyoos to have any chance of winning this national contest, so I’m urging all local residents to do their thing and tell all of Canada how proud they are of our Main Street.”

Anyone wishing to cast a ballot can do so by going online and visiting the website at www.greatplacesincanada.ca.

KEITH LACEY

Osoyoos Times