A big tree, a happy face and even a disco ball — these are three-storey images that could be greeting people coming into Lac La Biche instead of the plain whiteness of the water tower.
Local resident Judy Parkin is suggesting that the tower, the tallest structure in town, should be beautified, and she’s asking the community for their input.
A Facebook group she started called “Beautify the Lac La Biche Water Tower?” has already drawn some ideas from over 100 member over the last two weeks, including painting the tower like a tree or hot air balloon, writing the word peace in different languages and making it into a disco ball that shoots lasers at night.
Parkin said she’s looking for feedback because it’s hard to say what should go on it, and suggests that it could be mural reflecting the town’s culture or heritage, maybe even accompanied by a plaque with some historical facts.
“We’re always looking for something unique that’s just ours,” Parkin said, adding that the water tower could be made into an attractive and historical landmark.
She said she got the idea after seeing Spruce Grove fix up their water tower that was just lying in a field and rusting away. The tower was not only put back in its place, but also decorated with a mural to reflect the town’s history. This cost thousands of dollars, but Parkin says costs for the Lac La Biche tower could be lower since it’s still standing.
Parkin approached Ward 5 Councillor MJ Siebold with the idea, who encouraged her to seek community input. If people express interest in the idea, Parkin says she will consider taking it to council.
Siebold, who’s been active in the Facebook group also said more input is needed before council would discuss it.
“This is very preliminary and would require a good deal of community interest and support in order to go anywhere,” Siebold said.
But if the response is good, the idea would go before council, she added.
“If the interest is there, I will bring it to council for discussion to see if there are any unknown roadblocks administration might be aware of,” she said.
But regardless of what could go on it, Parkin says she loves the tower and hopes to see something rather than nothing done to fix it up.
“It’s a welcoming home fixture for me when I come down the highway,” she said. “It would just be cool if we did something with our water tower before it does rust and fall over.”