Further to a request by council last month asking staff to find out what the penalty would be to return the washroom unit and/or store it until council firms up its location, council was told the washrooms cannot be returned.
At its July 24 meeting, council was also advised by a representative for the Quebec manufacturer of the washrooms that storing the unit at a Town facility would impact the warranty as special equipment and manpower is required to move the 20,000 lbs unit. Speaking to council via a remote location, he noted that damage can often occur if the unit is not moved properly.
There seemed to be some confusion as to how long the manufacturer would hold on to the unit before requiring that it be delivered or taken to a special storage facility recommended by the manufacturer at a rate of $425/month, plus the cost of moving it at about $1,960. In the end, both Huntsville Mayor Nancy Alcock and Deputy Mayor Dan Armour asked the Town’s account manager for the company how long they could leave the unit at the facility, and he indicated it could be stored there until October 15 at no charge.
Council asked staff to look at all options for locating the washroom unit at River Mill Park and see if some savings could be achieved. “I think though tonight we recognize these are our washrooms. We’ll embrace them. They’re going to be lovely. They’re going to be indestructible and I can hardly wait but it’s not going to happen tomorrow,” said Alcock, adding that she would feel better if the municipality followed due diligence and explored all additional cost-saving options with respect to the unit’s installation.
Staff in their report also noted that the funds for the washroom unit installation would be coming from development charges from the cash-in-lieu of parkland reserve—funds that are a direct result of development.
The washroom unit once the refundable portion of the tax is considered is $293,883, according to staff. A private citizen donated $300,000 for the washrooms. You can find that story, HERE.
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Huntsville is privileged to have many locals who generously donate their hard earned dollars to local projects. The donator in this instance must be discouraged by the complexity behind such a seemingly simple project.
I first read about the plan for washrooms at River Mill Park last summer/fall. The site was established,arborists were involved, some dangerous trees were to come down. So now I am wondering why alternatives to the original site are being considered.
I can’t help also wondering why we would choose to patronize the Quebec market instead of hiring one of our local contractors for the job. Shouldn’t we support our own community first and foremost?
We took three of our grandkids to the kiddie park at River Mill last week. Very frustrating to discover that neither outhouse had toilet paper, and one child did “number two” before realizing it.
And so we are, going through another summer with inadequate facilities.
Oh deary me! Whoever predicted that two outdoor toilets would cost as much as, almost as much as, or more than a house in Huntsville?! Randy, I agree – Wow! is all I will say (online).
I do very much appreciate the donation and the time spent trying to move things forward.
Thank dog, the town owned the property or it would have cost $800,000. This is not April, so it must not be a joke.
This is so sad, the person donating must be shacking their head. If private business did this we would judge more severe than the individuals that mishandled this project
. $800,000 or more by the end of it “For Outdoor Washrooms” Wow That’s all I have to say