By Cecilia Nasmith
Replacing port-a-potties with two brick-and-mortar locations that offer public washrooms is not satisfactory, Councillor Nicole Beatty declared at Monday's committee-of-the-whole council meeting.
Just weeks before the Omicron variant of COVID-19 was discovered, the town had taken away port-a-potties that had been in place for virtually all of the pandemic, announcing that the facilities at the Albert Street transit shelter would be open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. - the hours during which the Cobourg Police Station would also allow individuals to make use of the washroom in their lobby.
“I continue to be inundated by phone calls from seniors, people with accessibility issues, families with young children,” Beatty said.
She related the call from a woman in a wheelchair who had to give up her beloved outings along the boardwalk, because to detour a block or so north to use the washroom was beyond her.
On her own walks, Beatty said she is seeing more families emerge from bushes where their children have had to relieve themselves.
Now that there is another lockdown, the councillor said that port-a-potties in such high-traffic areas as the boardwalk, marina and Victoria Park would make a difference to so many.
That can be done if it is the wish of council, Chief Administrative Officer Tracey Vaughan said, but they would represent costs that have not been taken into account in the 2022 budget – not just the rental of port-a-potties but their maintenance and the occasional cost of damages that are inflicted on them.
“But we can identify a couple of areas along those routes and temporarily put in port-a-potties if it is the wish of council,” Vaughan said.
Beatty recalled the discussions during budget deliberations. Treasurer Ian Davey said that, in a typical non-COVID year, port-a-potties would be budgeted for in relation to sports fields and special events as opposed to having them for everyday use.
“I think we were under the impression they wouldn't be necessary this winter season,” Davey said.
“If the decision was made to redeploy some of those port-a-potties, at this point we would have to look perhaps to some of the Safe Restart money that may still be available for 2022.”
“I do encourage staff to continue to look at how we can enhance access to public washrooms,” Beatty urged.
“This isn't a matter of washrooms for homeless folks. It's for families, for people out walking with mobility issues who have to have access to washrooms. It's a basic right.
“Unfortunately, we have very poor access to washrooms, right now, along the arteries and outdoor spaces. I urge staff to find creative ways to use the budget that was approved or left-over remaining funds. I am sure members of the community would really appreciate access to public washrooms.”
