Lewd acts close washroom

Photo: Town of Osoyoos

The Mayor of Osoyoos says they have no choice but to close the public washrooms in Gyro Park for the winter.

The facility will close on Friday in response to a string a illegal and lewd activities recently occurring there.

“One of our guys walked in and there were people shooting up drugs… we also have somebody in there having sex and we just are not willing to have our residents, kids and seniors to walk by there, go in and experience that,” Sue McKortoff said.

McKortoff says the washrooms will reopen in the spring, when there is more foot traffic and bylaw officers in the park. She says it’s unfortunate a few had to ruin things for everyone else, but notes people in need of a washroom still have options.

“We have a washroom at townhall two blocks away. Home hardware has a washroom, there is one at Goodman Park, so there are washrooms around if people need them.”

She says the facilities at Goodman Park have not seemed to attract the same type of activity, likely due to their smaller size.