Council wants to hear back from city staff and downtown businesses before making a decision on a new Salmon Arm Fair parade route.
At its May 12 meeting, city council voted to defer making a decision on a request from fair organizers the Shuswap Agricultural Association (SAA).
In a letter to council, the SAA asked the city for permission to hold the parade, scheduled to run between 9 a.m. and noon on Saturday, Aug. 23.
The letter outlined a new parade route, one that avoids crossing Highway 1 to run through the downtown. Instead, the parade would begin in front of the Westgate Public Market along 10th Avenue SW, and flow back as far as DeMille's Farm Market if needed. Participants will travel along 10th to the Shuswap Street intersection where they'll turn and continue to 5th Avenue, turn left at 5th Ave and continue to 3rd Street where any they can return to the fairgrounds.
The SAA said this change will ensure the safety of volunteers, participants and spectators from start to finish. It will also avoid breaking up the parade at the highway crossing lights while en route to the downtown.
The SAA asked to use the vacant lot opposite of DeMille’s for parade entries and the gravel lot by the Safeway soccer field. It also requested traffic signs, hi-vis vests and direction paddles for volunteers who will be directing traffic at intersections.
Discussing the request, council initially looked at referring the letter to the city's engineering department, with engineering manager Jennifer Wilsons saying staff would like to have a thorough look at it. She said the engineering and public works director is empowered to close roads, and "if you’re comfortable with staff taking it away it actually doesn't have to come back."
Coun. Sylvia Lindgren then asked about checking with the Salmon Arm Downtown Improvement Association, suggesting the parade reroute would impact downtown businesses. Mayor Alan Harrison said he'd bring this up with the association.
Coun. Tim Lavery voiced his preference to defer the SAA request – to have it go to staff and then return to council.
"I think this is a big thing in terms of tradition in Salmon Arm… if it’s to refer to staff I would vote against it," said Lavery. "I prefer a deferral so council has the last say on this."
Council voted unanimously in favour of deferring.
