City of Ottawa staff propose public washroom ideas

City of Ottawa staff have come up with four options for a possiblepublic washroom pilot projectafter an advocacy group called GottaGo! lobbied a city councillor into action.

Coun. Catherine McKenney made a campaign promise toexploreways to install a public washroom in her ward because she thinksthere'svalidity to the idea that there just aren't enough places for a person to go to the washroom.

Staff came up withfour options (two stalls per unit) for such a washroom in Centretown'sDundonald Park, which include:

• A standard portable washroomwith fencing around itto deter vandals. They're not heated or insulated andtherefore could notbe used in cold weather. The city currently uses anywhere from 70 to 120 of them during the summer season. They cost about $2,500.
• Precast concrete buildings can be installed permanently with indoor plumbing and lighting, but they're not heated or insulated and therefore can't be used in cold weather. They cost about $125,000.
• The standard building construction option would involve a standard design using a prefabricated shell or custom components, designed for all-season use with full service. They cost anywhere from $300,000 to $350,000.
• Fully automated washrooms include access control (with coins or tokens), automation and self-cleaning, and they can be used all year and are serviced by staff three times per day. Toronto purchased 20 of them to install in the next 20 years. They cost about $400,000.

But before the city could move ahead with a pilot project, McKenney would need the support of the mayor and other councillors, and would also need to find the money.

You can listen to McKenneydiscuss the idea with CBC RadioOttawa Morning reporter Hallie Cotnam in the player below.

Poll question

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