By Roy Wood

Rainbow crosswalk for high school

Oliver’s first “rainbow crosswalk” will cross Fairview Road toward the high school near Gala Street.

The design selected by council on Monday includes colorful stripes running parallel to the roadway on a white background.

The multi-coloured crosswalk is meant to represent social inclusion and a rejection of bullying. The phenomenon emerged last year across North America as part of Pride celebrations and LGBTQ support generally.

In several centres, including Kelowna and Edmonton, they have become permanent symbols of inclusion.

Town hall new roof delayed a year

Plans to replace the aging roof on the town hall will have to wait at least a year as council decides what sort of roof to install.

The options include traditional cedar shakes as the building has now, composite imitation shakes, asphalt shingles or metal.

The Oliver and District Heritage Society sent a letter to council urging it to maintain historical integrity by using cedar shakes, even though the town hall is not designated a heritage building.

Council decided to put the decision off for a year while it evaluates the shake conversion material as an option. The $25,000 in the budget for the project will be carried over.

Vape shop approved for day spa

Council approved an application to open a vape shop in a building that houses Athina’s Desert Day Spa.

The Owner David Stelmaschuk said in a letter to the town: “I want to open my smoking cessation shop (on) the property to help people quit cigarettes, using a personal vaporizer. … I have over 30 clients that require my help and as word gets out (more) people are coming.”

The property is a house on the west side of Main Street north of Skagit Avenue.