The following article appeared in the August 16 edition of the Guelph Mercury:
The city is trying to figure out if and how it can provide 24-hour public washroom access in downtown Guelph.
Currently under discussion are two locations: the new transit hub to be built on Carden Street and the new park to be built in front of city hall. Both those projects are expected to be finished next spring.
“There’s definitely going to be washrooms at both facilities. What we need to determine is if either will be open for 24 hours,” said Ward 2 Coun. Ian Findlay, council’s representative on the former Downtown Guelph Business Association and Nightlife Task Force who has been trying to get 24-hour washrooms downtown for some time.
It’s no secret the need for 24-hour washrooms is in large part a way of addressing the problem of public urination by people exiting bars late at night.
Derek McCaughan, director of operations and transit for the city, said there is currently “internal discussion” about if and where permanent washrooms can be located.
“We’re not certain either (the new transit hub or city hall park) are an option right now,” McCaughan said.
“We recognize the need for 24-hour, seven-days-a-week washrooms, but how we meet that need is what’s being discussed,” McCaughan said.
Ward 1 Coun. Bob Bell believes the new transit hub is the best place for them. Current online plans show a standalone public washroom facility at the east end of Carden where it intersects with Macdonell Street. Whether they will be open 24 hours is the question.
“The issue is, the washrooms have to be supervised,” said Bell, who was of the belief that that location had been ruled out.
“We need a place that’s practical and accessible. There’s no point having 24-hour washrooms if they’re in the wrong spot,” Bell said.
Findlay said the transit hub location remains an option but the city was “leaning more toward the location in front of city hall.”
“We know something needs to be done. Now we’re getting it together,” Findlay said.
Findlay was the driving force behind last year’s trial project that saw open-air, public urinals or “pissoirs” placed downtown.
He said we may see the return of pissoirs, particularly at the Macdonell Street parking lot location, but only as a complement to permanent washrooms.
The problem with pissoirs was that they did not serve the needs of women, families or people with disabilities.
For those that could use them, Findlay said the pissoirs were “tremendously successful.”