Costly biffy to replace ‘creepy’ washrooms
The city isn’t flushing taxpayers money down the drain by approving a $674,000 new washroom in a lakeside park, councillors say.
Council in a 5-1 vote on Monday approved what they said would be a modern and safe washroom to replace an aging and unappealing public facility at Boyce-Gyro Park on Lakeshore Road.
“The inside of those (existing) washrooms are dark and creepy,” acting mayor Tracy Gray said.
“We need to give our beach-goers a place that’s safe and clean,” said Coun. Mohini Singh.
Renovating the existing washrooms was estimated to cost $350,000, Coun. Gail Given noted, describing the additional expense as warranted to get a new, long-lasting building.
“I can easily support the $675,000 to build a new, best-class washroom in our premier beach park,” Given said.
Coun. Brad Sieben agreed the expense may seem high, but said it was an unfortunate fact that building costs have risen dramatically. “It hurts, but it’s necessary,” Sieben said.
Parks official Robert Parlane told council the washroom must be designed and constructed to withstand “heavy and constant use, and vandalism and abuse”.
Coun. Charlie Hodge was the only one to oppose construction of the new washrooms at the estimated cost of $674,000.
“I have a very hard time swallowing the pill that says $674,000 for a washroom,” Hodge said. “I’m looking at toilets, not a Taj Mahal.”
Voting in favour were Gray, Singh, Given, Sieben, and Coun. Ryan Donn. Mayor Colin Basran and councillors Luke Stack and Maxine DeHart were absent.