Lighting up ‘a gem in the city’

Committee will recommend Churchill Square changes

At the regular meeting of St. John's city council Monday evening, council voted to establish a committee that will recommend lighting and other esthetic changes to Churchill Square.

Lighting in the square has been a concern for area residents for several months, said Coun. Ian Froude. The issue was broken bulbs, which were replaced, but Froude said that’s a short-term solution.

Currently there are four light poles illuminating the square, and they require a costly boom rental any time repairs are needed, according to the council agenda.

Froude said the lights need to be replaced.

City staff originally recommended a low-cost option that met the base technical requirements, but no esthetic requirement. Council favoured another option that included a specified esthetic design.

A committee made up of various stakeholders will make those esthetic recommendations to council.

“Churchill Square is a gem in the city, and I think the opportunity to further enhance it is a good one, and a big one, for us and for that area of the city. So, that’s the path we ultimately chose to take,” said Froude.

Deputy Mayor Sheilagh O’leary said area residents expressed concerns with lighting in the square many times, and they will be pleased to see this addressed.

Council also decided to hire a landscape architect to recommend improvements that will make the area more pedestrian-friendly and inviting, such as changes to parking or the addition of picnic tables, said Froude.