City of Red Deer ambassadors dressed in red began strolling downtown streets Tuesday in search of tourists or residents needing a hand.
Two of the four men — David Johnston and Keith Balkwill — were on shift the first day, introducing themselves to about 25 businesses and to city staff at the museum and Recreation Centre. Wearing cherry red cowboy hats and vests, the pair said they are looking forward to their four-month job as friendly faces in the city core.
“They’re so happy we’re on the street — that we’re going to be presenting a good image of the downtown,” said Balkwill after meeting business owners.
Balkwill and Johnston will be joined by Jerry Germaine and Keith Dawson in the $50,000 pilot project approved by city council on May 17.
The ambassadors will let people know about locations of interest, give directions, assist at special events, talk about upcoming downtown events and share information about locations of businesses.
“As we head into the summer season, events are ramping up, and the ambassadors will be a recognizable face when individuals want to know more about what’s going on,” said Charity Dyke, downtown co-ordinator. “They will also be an extra set of eyes on the downtown streets.”
Both Johnston and Balkwill expect to be talking to lots of people.
“I like to talk to people, visit people and be helpful in whatever way I can,” Johnston said.
“I’ll be telling people nicely where to go,” said Balkwill, chuckling.
The ambassadors received first-aid training as part of their formal training. They are commissionaires contracted by the city to do various jobs like parking patrol and security. Planning Services, with council’s blessing, did not advertise for the positions but instead elected to go with commissionaires. The commissionaires were then chosen by their boss.
“Right now, it’s a pilot project so we’ll look at what worked and what didn’t,” said Dyke.
Originally, the city was looking at having only two ambassadors but went with four based on scheduling.
Dyke said the ambassadors will work Monday through Saturday. The ambassadors will work as pairs on various shifts through the week and will be present during major events, festivals and busy times.
Dyke said the ambassador program was born out of a public meeting to see improved downtown safety. The newly created SAFE Downtown committee later recommended the idea to the city.
The ambassadors’ wages and other costs will come from the 2010 budget’s tax stabilization reserve. Similar programs run in a number of cities across North America, including Toronto, Calgary and Milwaukee, Minn.
ltester@www.reddeeradvocate.com