Grey Highlands council is going to consider keeping port-a-potties in certain locations 12 months of the year.
At its meeting on March 20, council voted to request a staff report about the possibility of locating portable toilets in certain places year-round.
Coun. Dan Wickens brought the issue to the table after he heard complaints about the portable toilet at Feversham Park being removed recently.
“I think there should be a port-a-potty there year-round,” said Wickens. “There are children in the park year-round.”
Wickens noted that the recent good weather drew cyclists to Feversham with many of them seeking washroom facilities at the local general store. He also noted a snowmobile trail runs nearby during the winter months.
Grey Highlands places a number of portable toilets in certain locations across the municipality from the May long weekend until after Thanksgiving weekend. Portable toilets are also available during the winter months where there are outdoor ice rinks, which includes Feversham Park. With the early spring this year, those toilets were removed in early March.
Coun. Nadia Dubyk said she felt it is reasonable for the municipality to have some portable toilets in specific locations year-round. She moved a motion to request a staff report to identify some strategic locations where it might be possible.
Council has considered the issue in the past, but backed away due to worries about the cost of renting and cleaning the portable toilets.
Mayor Paul McQueen worried that the price tag might be too high and eventually, it would make more sense to have permanent washrooms, where possible. McQueen was also concerned if one place received a year-round port-a-potty, others would follow.
“To be fair, if you do it at one, you have to do it at them all,” said McQueen.
Council unanimously supported requesting a staff report to get more information.
