Downtown bathroom details

Photo: Leah Martel

Vernon City Council is finalizing details on new downtown bathrooms.

Council has endorsed the operating plan for the washroom, which will be in the area of 30th Avenue and Coldstream Avenue.

Laurie Cordell, manager of long-range planning and sustainability, said the facilities will be open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

"The washroom is to be cleaned every three hours for the first month. This would be reviewed and scheduling re-evaluated at that time,” she said.

Earlier this year, Cordell told council, "The proposed location is not immediately adjacent to any business, is highly visible and is accessible. The facility is intended to be used by everybody, not just the street population. It is understood that area businesses have concerns. It is recommended that the washroom facility be installed at this location and administration follow up with nearby businesses as to any issues arising."

Bylaw compliance and the RCMP will patrol the site as scheduling and call-outs allow, and private security will patrol the facility twice between 6-10 p.m. and lock the facility for the evening.

Council has approved $17,820 so the washroom can be installed and ready for public use for the remainder of 2019. A total of $35,000 could be spent in 2020 for maintenance and security of the washroom.

- with files from the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce