Photo: This is an example of the type of washroom facility that could be used at River Mill Park. Council members who attended the AMO conference earlier this month discovered the company UrbenBlu and its display. (Image: urbenblu.com)
Members of Huntsville council who attended the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) conference from August 14 to 17 think they may have found the perfect solution for washroom facilities at River Mill Park.
Huntsville Mayor Karin Terziano said a company from Montreal had a pretty exciting display at the conference — if you can consider toilets exciting, that is.
“They manufacture automatic, self-cleaning, vandal-proof toilets within whole buildings and they’re attractive,” she said with excitement. “They’re also programmable to open and close on their own,” she added. “What I’m excited about is this could be our new washroom at River Mill Park.”
She said they have a built-in heating and ventilation system and can be used all year. “And they’re virtually indestructible.” She said staff can program the facility to open and close at a certain time and it’s automated to tell you, for example, when the soap dispenser is getting low. And the best part is it’s made in Canada, and delivery on orders is about 12 weeks.
In terms of cost, Terziano said she believes the cost is reasonable compared to the cost of building a washrooms at the park. “I believe he said the single bathroom one is $190,000 and the double is $290,000 and we’ve been looking at a budget of $300,000 hoping that we can get a design and the builder to do it and the chances of us even getting a builder within the next six months is highly unlikely.”
Deputy Mayor Nancy Alcock as well as Councillor Bob stone also attended the conference and said the washroom facilities were very interesting.
Terziano said the idea will be taken to council for consideration, probably at its next meeting.
In July, council learned that a mystery donor had approached the municipality willing to donate $300,000 to build a permanent washroom at River Mill Park. You can find that story here.
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I too was curious..so here’s the supplier’s website, which includes a short video. Making things vandal proof is a challenge, and adds to the cost..but it can be done..we had to vandal proof elevators at work…pebbled stainless steel walls, flush steel buttons..etc.
http://www.urbenblu.com/en-ca/
Generally there are usually only two or three dozen people in the park..a one “holer” should work, a two would be more than adequate. Plastic privvys would continue to be used for events as is current practice. (Crescent moons on the door are no longer de riguere….)
In a small town in Prince Edward County there is a building just behind the Main Street but visible, and it has 4 toilets. Even so, there was still a lineup.
It would seem that the selling of the Chamber of Commerce building, where they current washrooms are located, was a bit of a short term gain to be followed now by a long term pain in the need for creating new washroom facilities.
I may not be remembering the exact numbers but I think that this building sale netted the town less than the cost of one simple washroom.
I know costs go up and that staff to clean a place like a washroom is always an issue but really, a third of a million dollars for a tiny two unit and greatly glorified portable toilet?
Remember that this thin will likely be factory built in Montreal area and dropped from a truck on a prepared site. (I am just guessing at this of course) but you know factory built usually means things can be done considerably cheaper due to better control of all the factors involved in the building compared to a new actual “building” built on site from bricks and mortar.
The price, for what we get here seems pretty eye watering, even in today’s market
I’m left wondering what staffing could be achieved at the hospital for a third of a million dollars?
River Mill Park Toilet(s)
COMMENT FOR DOPPLER ONLINE Aug. 27, 2022
I think that this article leaves some doubt as to how many toilets there would be. The picture shows two toilet units; much of the text indicates toilets, plural. Also, the writing in the original article about the donation indicates washrooms/toilets/facilities, all plurals.
It is my understanding that the $300,000 budget is for one toilet unit only, which can NOT be added to later. One toilet is inadequate.
Such a generous donation should, and can be, added to, to get the most value for the public. Town Council can use funds from what Huntsville gets from the Municipal Accommodation Tax, which does not involve any taxpayer funds. Town Council can also investigate other sources of funding before deciding how to proceed–I am sure that there are other organizations in town that would be willing to contribute to such a needed investment.
I hope that the donor, this selfless supporter of our town, is involved in the decision as to how the donation is spent.
I suggest, too, that if there is not enough time in this term of Council to investigate these options, then, the discussion of washrooms should be left to the next Council.
Please do it right.
To Bob Stone: Thank you for the explanation. Quite high technology.
Brenda I also think it is exciting!!! It is vandal-proof because the walls are made of a hard material that is not easily damaged and coated with a covering that spray paint won’t adhere to if cleaned in 24 hours, the sink can hold up to 600 lbs. and all the soap and paper dispensers are located behind the wall in a mechanical room. Water taps and toilet flushing is motion sensor and all mechanical parts are also behind the wall which makes for easy maintenance.
Although I love the idea of accessible washrooms at River Mill Park, I agree with others that preventing vandalism will be a huge issue that should be addressed before moving forward. I’m also confused as to how the cost of $300,000 for a building of this size could possibly be acceptable. I understand the cost of materials and labour has increased significantly, but this price seems extreme.
Wonderful news! I do consider toilets “exciting” (certainly essential). I’m curious as to what makes these vandal-proof!