Castlegar gets rare parking meters that will make people happy
By Kyra Hoggan
Castlegar, like its neighbours Trail and Nelson, is getting downtown parking meters – but with an awesome twist.
No, you’re still not going to have to pay for parking, according to food bank coordinator Deb McIntosh.
“The Castlegar Source posted a photo showing another community doing Kindness Meters, and we loved the idea,” she said. “How it works, is that they’re all going to be on stands, on a base – mobile, so I can take them to different events and put them in different high traffic areas, maybe in businesses.
“Putting money in them is absolutely voluntary, you won’t get a ticket for not plugging them, and the money will go to the food bank,” she said. “It’s just another opportunity to raise funds for people in need in our community.
“All proceeds will be administered by the Community Harvest Food Bank – 100 per cent of the money that comes into the food bank goes to the clients. There are no overhead costs.”
McIntosh stressed the fact that no one has to participate, it’s just a fun twist on donating to a good cause.
“I put a cryptic call-out on Facebook for sponsors for a very special project, and within 24 hours, I had enough money for three meters,” she said. “They’ll be fixed and prettied up, and clearly labelled, so no one will be confused about whether it’s compulsory (which, again, it’s not),” she added.
She also said the concept ties in neatly with the city brand, making the downtown core more artsy, whimsical and fun.
Watch for the meters around town starting at the beginning of November.
Special thanks to: Betty Lutz and family, Karyn Morrison, Brandy Danichuk, Kim’s Catering, Shirley Fox, Connie Lew, Timmy Jean Quilting, Val Field, Chris D’Arcy, Deb McIntosh, Trowelex.
