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HomeMy WebLinkAboutINS-12-023 - Victoria Park Washrooms1 Staff Re ort p Krr~.~-~~,i~iER ~nfrastru~ture Servrces Department www.kitthenerta REPORT TO: Community and Infrastructure Services Committee DATE OF MEETING: March 16, 2012 SUBMITTED BY: Pauline Houston, Deputy CAO Infrastructure Services Department (ext. 4646) PREPARED BY: Greg Hummel Manager Park Planning and Development (ext.4598), and Doug Hergott Manager Facilities Management (ext. 4684) WARD(S) INVOLVED: All DATE OF REPORT: April 16, 2012 REPORT NO.: INS-12-023 SUBJECT: Victoria Park Public Washrooms RECOMMENDATION: That staff implements the solutions outlined in options 1 & 2 of the "Potential solutions for washroom access" section of the report for 2012-2013: Existing seasonal washrooms will operate year round and portable trailers be installed during special events within Victoria Park - Commons. And That staff investigate the need for additional or more permanent washrooms in Victoria Park through a public engagement process and report back to Council with the findings and recommendation(s). BACKGROUND: On March 5, 2012, Council received Chief Administrator's Office report CAO-12-004 regarding the Victoria Park Lake Boathouse with additional conditions related to: the patio extension; installation of pathway gates with closing times being determined by staff as part of lease negotiations; and, the washrooms at the Victoria Park Lake Boathouse being made available while staff investigate the possibility of building permanent public washrooms: This report addresses the 2 items of the resolution related to public washroom access o "public washrooms be made available at the Victoria Park Lake Boathouse while staff investigate the possibility of building permanent washrooms in the north end of Victoria Park or in the vicinity of the Victoria Park Lake Boathouse; and, o "Staff be directed to investigate the option of having a permanent unisex bathroom on the northeast side of the Victoria Park lake Boathouse." 5-1 1 Staff Re ort p Krr~.~-~~,i~iER ~nfrastru~ture Servrces Department www.kitthenerta REPORT: 1) Current washroom facilities and fixtures in Victoria Park: Seasonal washrooms are adjacent to summer playground/splash pad area: Male Washroom: 4 cubicles & 4 Urinals Female: 5 cubicles One Accessible Family Washroom with Change Table The seasonal washroom facility is traditionally open for use April 1St -October 31st 2) Boathouse Washrooms: Male: 1 Accessible cubicle & 2 Urinals Female: 1 Accessible cubicle & regular cubicles There is consensus recognition that the Boathouse needs to have dedicated washrooms for their business function. While there has been a suggestion of a shared arrangement for washrooms through 2012, the City needs to separate the need for year round washroom access and increased washroom access during special events from the Boathouse business. Event Information: Event bookings have increased use of Victoria Park over the past few years. Statistics are outlined below: In 2005: 18 bookings in Victoria Park. In 2011: 39 bookings in Victoria Park. These bookings included: Walks -Parkinson Assoc, Canadian Cancer Society Corporate/Picnics - Manulife, various banks Non-Profits -Humanists, Tri-Pride Culture -Kitchener Musical Society Band, Link Picnic, Kitchener Blues Festival, Multicultural Festival There are also a number of other events that take place in Victoria Park including Kidspark, Word On The Street, Link Picnic, etc. Potential solutions for washroom access: 1) Seasonal washrooms located by Children's playground can be operational year round. Facilities Management would see slight increased operational costs (utilities, custodial, security) and need to adjust budgets, but the solution could be implemented immediately. 2) Portable Trailers could be brought into the park at the commons rink shed location for seasonal use and to accommodate the increased demand during events. Seasonal use could run mid-June to mid September. This solution would require sanitary and water tie 5-2 1 Staff Re ort p Krr~.~-~~,i~iER ~nfrastru~ture Servrces Department www.kitthenerta -in at an estimated one time Capital cost of $8,000. Trailer rental costs could be offset by the budget traditionally allocated to rent single unit ports-potties. Although the total rental cost would be very close, the trailers would provide a better user experience. 3) Public washrooms could be installed at 79 Joseph St. The facility sits at the entrance to the park and would service the park and events throughout the downtown. Estimated Capital costs (Class C) $167,000 + HST. Or $225.00/ sq ft The scope of the project would include demolition, plumbing, HVAC, electrical, concrete, finishes, block/brick work. The creation of separate male & female washrooms, including accessible and family amenities (Male washroom: 1 accessible stall, 1 regular stall, 3 urinals, 3 sinks, change table} (Female washroom 1 accessible stall, 3 regular stall, 3 sinks, change table}. The scope also includes the creation of a custodial and storage room. Included in the cost is plumbing, electrical, HVAC, floor sink for the custodial/storage room. Facilities Management would see a slight increase in operational costs (utilities, custodial, security) and need to adjust budgets. The increase in budget would be offset somewhat by current budgets for the Boathouse. Facilities Management staff will closely monitor budget variances in 2012 and recommend any necessary increase as part of the 2013 budget process. 4) Anew washroom facility could be planned in the 10 year capital forecast, if endorsed as part of the public engagement process. Scope and budget would be established through the process. Appendix A is provided to illustrate the location of current & potential washroom facilities. Travel distance between these locations. Boathouse to Seasonal Washroom Facility: 600 meters Boathouse to 79 Joseph Street: 220 meters Boathouse to Bus Station: 450 meters Boathouse to City Hall: 500 meters As a city wide park, Victoria Park (75 acres) has had the luxury of two washrooms facilities to meet the needs of users within the park. Other city wide parks have only one main washroom facility to meet the needs of users. For special events within these parks, additional washroom facilities are brought in to meet the demand. The distances to the washrooms from areas within each park are similar to those listed above for Victoria Park. McLennan Park (95 acres) Kiwanis Park (119 acres) Huron Natural Area (300 acres) 5-3 1 Staff Re ort p Krr~.~-~~,i~iER ~nfrastru~ture Servrces Department www.kitthenerta ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENERSTRATEGIC PLAN: Theme: Efficient and Effective Government Customer Service Goal: Provide services to the public that match or exceed the customer's expectations and adopt standards that put people first to ensure excellent customer service. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: The financial implications for 2012 would be a capital expense of $8,000 to install the sanitation connection near the rink shed in the commons area. Special Events would monitor the cost of the washroom trailers through the 2012 festival season. Facility management will also continue to monitor washroom seasonal operational costs. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: N/A for current phase CONCLUSION: An interim solution for washroom access in Victoria Park can be achieved through year round access to current seasonal washrooms and the installation of additional washroom trailers during the special events season. A recommendation for a long term solution will be brought forward to Council following further analysis and a public engagement process. ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Pauline Houston, Deputy CAO, Infrastructure Services Department 5-4 1 Staff Re ort p Krr~.~-~~,i~iER ~nfrastru~ture Servrces Department www.kitthenerta 5-5