Manhole Project - Money Down the Drain?

[WalterWhite]

https://www.castanet.net/news/Kelowna/1 ... ole-covers

$15,000.00

That's a very important aspect of Kelowna's infrastructure seriously in need of an image makeover - said no one ever.

The City of Kelowna is looking to add a little bit of colour to its drab infrastructure.

Through its public art program, the city is proposing to brighten up manhole covers and crosswalks.

City staffer Robert Parlane explained to council Monday they are proposing a design competition for stormwater and sewer covers.

Robert Parlane's official title isn't mentioned in the article, only that he's a city staffer. I'm guessing he could be the head of the Useless Spending of Public Monies department. I'm sure the ballooning homeless population will sincerely appreciate the sprucing up of their living rooms.

[60-YEARS-in-Ktown]

Makes more sense than some of the "art" around town.. Be very noticeable on Bernard during the streetfests.
And if you ride bike the covers are more visible..
And to Councillor Given, re the sidewalk painting.... They can always be repainted or painted over later.m

[Fancy]

How well are the manhole covers locked down?

[dirtguy]

Not locked down at all, just heavy

[Jflem1983]

How well are the manhole covers locked down?

Are you suggesting people from out of town would steal our covers .

A pub in Edmonton I use to drink in . Young guy walked out the pub through a field . Fell down an open manhole 100 ft or something . Was hanging upside down by his limbs when he was found in the morning . That guy blows up balloons at our farmers market now . He is in a wheel chair . I forget his name . I remember that we'll though .

To fancy comment I think maybe they should lock em

[just popping in]

There must be some extra money in the coffers to waste. No one will notice beautiful manhole covers, everyone is staring at their phones.

[lightspeed]

Idiocy. Money to burn.

[GordonH]

^^^ what happens when that lock get clogged with gravel or rusted by water & street salt.
That's one of the reason they are so damn heavy, along with transport trucks not being able pop them off.

[Grandan]

Makes more sense than some of the "art" around town.. Be very noticeable on Bernard during the streetfests.
And if you ride bike the covers are more visible..
And to Councillor Given, re the sidewalk painting.... They can always be repainted or painted over later.m

It reminds me of the artists that went around painting fire hydrants to look like little men....

[Urban Cowboy]

https://www.castanet.net/news/Kelowna/193499/Beautifying-manhole-covers

$15,000.00

That's a very important aspect of Kelowna's infrastructure seriously in need of an image makeover - said no one ever.

The City of Kelowna is looking to add a little bit of colour to its drab infrastructure.

Through its public art program, the city is proposing to brighten up manhole covers and crosswalks.

City staffer Robert Parlane explained to council Monday they are proposing a design competition for stormwater and sewer covers.

Robert Parlane's official title isn't mentioned in the article, only that he's a city staffer. I'm guessing he could be the head of the Useless Spending of Public Monies department. I'm sure the ballooning homeless population will sincerely appreciate the sprucing up of their living rooms.

Probably the same clown, that thought buying a frayed stainless steel railroad track, for 80K, to plant on stilts by the foot of the bridge, was a good idea.

[metallica]

^^^ what happens when that lock get clogged with gravel or rusted by water & street salt.
That's one of the reason they are so damn heavy, along with transport trucks not being able pop them off.

The only locked manholes are at Lift stations the rest are like you said heavy. I have lifted thousands of manholes when I worked for the City.They do get rusted in and a sledge hammer helps. Under the lid you can find Black Widows, Hornets or snakes and I have found all of them. Go ahead and steal one, hurts your back and you may get bit.

[MAPearce]

That's a very important aspect of Kelowna's infrastructure seriously in need of an image makeover - said no one ever.

Only because Kelowna doesn't support the businesses that could make them and employ workers locally ....

[WalterWhite]

That's a very important aspect of Kelowna's infrastructure seriously in need of an image makeover - said no one ever.

Only because Kelowna doesn't support the businesses that could make them and employ workers locally ....

Huh? My comment was sarcasm. It has nothing to do with whether they're made here or in China or who does or doesn't support local business.

[khutchi]

Well... this is a pretty small amount of money. Most of the money is being used in the production of them and we will need new manhole covers in the future anyways . Also, all the money goes into our community and is double taxed (income/spent) anyways. And if you think about how long the life of a manhole cover is and how much of a tourism city this, it will pay for itself in aesthetic value very quickly.

But, the public art fund has run a surplus carryover for over 6 years. It has so much money in it. I wrote an article one time saying their should be a reallocation of money out of it into a different account but apparently that is illegal. Besides the world needs art. So here's what we get ... manhole covers.

[khutchi]

https://www.castanet.net/news/Kelowna/193499/Beautifying-manhole-covers

'm sure the ballooning homeless population will sincerely appreciate the sprucing up of their living rooms.

That was pretty funny though....