By Tiffany Goodwein

Council raises a stink about public washrooms

Jul 30, 2019 | 2:53 PM

A couple members of council raised a stink at Monday’s council meeting as they prepared to vote on a new public washroom between Nature’s Fare and Safeway.

Coun. Akbal Mund stated while he thinks public washrooms are important, he wasn’t sold on the location.

“I think what it is going to do is people who are going to want to use that bathroom they are going to make like a campground,” Mund said adding he is worried that the washrooms will give life to past loitering issues in the area.

“Safeway used to have the picnic tables there and it became a congregation for everybody, and then simple, Safeway removed those picnic tables outside and everybody was gone hanging out there.”

Mund believed a better location for the toilets would be near 25th Avenue, or by the Wholesale Club where many people already congregate.

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Coun. Scott Anderson agreed with Mund’s concerns about loitering.

He asked staff if they’ve had “a clustering of reports” about human waste in that part of the city.

City staff didn’t have statistics from bylaw on hand, but they said the issue has been raised from speaking with nearby business owners.

“They certainly are struggling with defecation with people using their bathroom, properties, their back steps, stoops. They certainly raised a lot of concerns,” one city staff member explained, adding staff wanted a location for a toilet that would be welcoming for everyone.

Contrary to Mund, Coun. Kelly Fehr said that he was in support of the location because it is in an inviting area.

“I think it is well lit, I think it is a safe place to use the facilities not only for people that don’t have bathrooms, but also when you do events downtown,” he said.

Council ultimately approved the location with Mund opposed.

The washroom will undergo an assessment after a year of operation.

by Tiffany Goodwein

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