The bill is in, and it’s a hefty one.
The cost to repair damage and replace the doors at the River Mill Park washrooms, work prompted by vandalism, has cost the municipality $31,500.
The washrooms were closed for more than four months from early December 2024 to April, 24, 2025.
“This closure was due to vandalism damage to both doors preventing them from operating properly. As the doors would not close and the cold winter temperatures were upon us, the best plan of action was to keep these washrooms closed until proper remedial action could be completed to ensure no further damage to these washrooms would occur due to the cold temperatures,” noted Greg Pilling, Huntsville Manager of Facility Operations, Sales and Customer Service, in a report to committee.
Pilling stated that staff began working with contractors in order to find a solution to the problem. “It was
determined at that time that the existing doors could not be repaired and would require a complete
replacement. After extensive investigation and research, a quote was provided to the Town on
February 19, 2025. This quote included:
- Remove and dispose of both existing washroom doors and operators;
- Cut back and remove existing exterior wall materials to allow for new framing;
- Disconnect electrical and trace wiring;
- Re-work existing wall for reinforcing to allow new commercial doors to be installed;
- Supply and install new thermal hollow metal door frame complete with new weatherstripping,
sweep, threshold and hardware (paint to match); - Provide an electrician to run new conduit and wiring, low voltage and make all the connections;
- Install new power door operators along with new coordinating buttons;
- Reinstall existing exterior finish and materials;
- Provide new flashing and caulking as required.”
Piling stated approval to move forward with emergency repairs was obtained from the CAO to ensure the washrooms would be functional for the spring season.
The purpose of the report to the committee was to notify councillors of the cost of the repairs. Staff were also asking for approval to take the funds from the River Mill Washroom Reserve in the amount of $16,164 and from the Facility Reserve in the amount of $15,336.
“I don’t like that the work was made without a council discussion first about the cost,” said Councillor Cory Clarke. “Now we’re being asked to approve it after the fact. Because the washroom was inoperable for so long, there would’ve been lots of time for that to happen and for council to review the options. I had concerns about this project right from the very beginning because this type of bathroom has a high rate of failure, and this is true anywhere these types of washrooms have been installed. It’s one of the reasons I wasn’t more supportive of this project,” he said.
Huntsville CAO Denise Corry took full responsibility for the decision. “It is a Town asset that was not functional, and under our procurement process, it did allow the ability for me to grant that approval. So duly noted, and I will make sure that if we have time… I’ll note that for next time,” she said.
Councillor Bob Stone said while damage to the washrooms was partly done by vandals, he said part of the problem was also that people had to push a button to get the door to open and then wait for it to close while having to go to the washroom, which prompted many to pull or push the door to close or open it faster. He asked if that issue had been addressed with the repairs.
“That is a problem that we fixed, so you can just open the door now without having to use the button,” said Piling while also emphasizing that the main issue that rendered the washrooms inoperable was vandalism.
Councillor Monty Clouthier suggested that when the washrooms are closed at night, a heavy metal security door could be placed on the outside of the doors to prevent further damage. While it would cost more, it’s a way of protecting the investment, he reasoned.
Councillor Helena Renwick said the look would not be aesthetically pleasing and reminded councillors that cameras would be pointing to the washrooms. She also suggested that signage be placed to explain that the doors now simply pull open; users no longer need to turn the handle.
Huntsville Mayor Nancy Alcock agreed that the cameras would hopefully be a deterrent.
Councillor Dione Schumacher agreed that the bulk of the damage had been caused by vandalism and said that while the doors will remain accessible, they will now be relatively easier to use.
The majority of councillors accepted the report and staff’s suggestions for funding the work, with the exception of Clarke, who voted against it.
RELATED
Vandalism to River Mill Park washroom ultimately costs ratepayers: CAO
Huntsville CAO hopeful River Mill Park washrooms will open soon
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When council spends a couple hundred grand repairing a storm drain to dry up the rail station and then sell it for a toonie, I think the tax payer has been had.
To build a main street thar has fewer parking spaces for twenty thousand people than the town had when there were only five thousand of us here, I think we ‘ve been shucked.
When the council takes Kent Park, a green space with trees and parking spots and converts it to a version of ‘Tombstone Territory’, I question their decision.
But the saga of the washrooms feels different. I know council is working for the greater good and certainly for the convenience of most people. Most people use the washrooms as they were meant to be used. These ‘vandal proof’ facilities were questionable from the get-go. ‘Vandal’ proof certainly attracted vandals. The challenge I suppose. But if people put it together, people can disassemble it. As in this case. And at what level can you deal with wastes of skin whose memorable evening is highlighted by assaulting an out-door john.
And the requirements of the law when it comes to installing video surveillance. Jeez!! You are required to indicated where the cameras are. Signs announce the area is under video surveillance. If you do catch some miscreant, our judges are likely to release them back onto the street. Likely telling us that it’s cruel and unusual punishment to incarcerate someone for having fun in their own way. The law says no entrapment! But hell folks, that works for me!
I know of several communities that have public facilities and they don’t seem to draw the attention that ours do here in Huntsville.
Could there be some strain of mutant vandal in our town? Is there a spray?
Brian Tapley has the correct solution
The Town of Gravenhurst has public restrooms located in Gull Lake Park and the Muskoka Wharf. They are maintained by the town and I don’t hear of them being vandalized. Maybe River Mill Park is not as visible as the parks in Gravenhurst. Maybe the O.P.P. could do a drive by to discourage vandalism.
WHAT IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE???? Quit wrecking our town. I hope they are caught and put in jail and has to pay cost to fix.
How in the world could it cost over $30k to fix two doors? Does anyone think that is reasonable or even within the realm of reasonable? And Joanne brings up an excellent point – is there no insurance?
Just removed them because it will happen again as I predicted the first time!
Cut your losses and remove them for good. You will be repairing them every year. There is no remedy for moronic behaviour.
I thought one of the reasons we paid so much for this type of public washrooms was the selling features of these washrooms being “Self cleaning and “VANDAL PROOF”. OOOOPS!
More wasted money, when will it stop
Curious, what would a pair of portable toilets cost to rent for a year, with pump out maintenance?
No worries about any other costs doing it this way and perhaps, considering the respect given to the first iteration of the washrooms by patrons (vandals) the portable toilet is all they really deserve?
If you look at the initial cost plus repair and maintenance costs, you could probably get a higher class portable toilet and hide it with some landscaping….. achieve the need with much less cost.
No such thing as insurance for these things?