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HomeMy WebLinkAboutINS-12-034 - Victoria Park Public Washrooms Update1 Staff Re ort p Krr~.~-~~,i~iER ~nfrastru~ture Servrces Department www.kitthenerta REPORT TO: Planning and Strategic Initiatives Committee ~ DATE OF MEETING: May 7, 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 29, 2012, 2012 REPORT NO.: INS-12-034 SUBJECT: Victoria Park Public Washrooms -Update RECOMMENDATION: That the options for additional permanent washrooms in Victoria Park as outlined in Report INS-12- 034 be tabled for public input and that staff report back to Council with the findings of the public engagements process and recommendation(s) on September 10, 2012. 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. On April 16t", 2012, Council received a follow up report INS-12-023 outlining some temporary and potential options for public washrooms at Victoria Park. At that time the following resolution was approved: That Staff implement the solutions outlined in Options 1 and 2 of the Potential Solutions for Washroom Access section of Infrastructure Services Department report INS-12-023 for 2012- 2013, to provide that existing seasonal washrooms will operate year round and portable trailers be installed during special events within Victoria Park Commons; and That the public washrooms at Victoria Park Boathouse continue to operate as existing now with a closing time to be pre-determined (approximately 7:00 p.m.); and, 1- 1 1 Staff Re ort p Krr~.~-~~,i~iER ~nfrastru~ture Servrces Department www.kitthenerta That staff report back on the option of having a permanent unisex washroom on the northeast side of the Victoria Park Lake Boathouse, together with various alternative options that can be considered in a comprehensive manner, with determination as to the need for public consultation to be considered at that time; and further, That the portable trailers to be used in the Park during mid-June torrid-September be disconnected and removed between special events where feasible and at the discretion of Staff. This report addresses the third part of the resolution above. 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 & 2 regular cubicles In March 2012, City staff discussed with the operator of the boathouse his suggestion to offer existing washroom space to facilitate a stand alone, city operated, unisex/family washroom until the city comes up with a more permanent washroom solution for Victoria Park. The space offered and discussed was in the current female washroom. Typically a unisexlfamily washroom is constructed in conjunction with a male and female washroom and is meant for groups or individuals that require it for safety or assistance reasons. There are a number of concerns with a stand alone unisex/family washroom in a park setting: • A single person use amenity is not ideal for high pedestrian traffic (extensive line ups} Depending on the length of the line to this exterior washroom patrons would probably choose to then enter the boathouse to access their washrooms, this then forces the operator of the boathouse to monitor his door constantly taking head counts to ensure his patron occupancy load in his restaurant, patio and washrooms does not exceed the requirements as identified on the liquor license permit. • Safety and security concerns require ongoing monitoring as the door can be secured from the interior preventing anyone from knowing what is occurring within this locked washroom, i.e. inappropriate/criminal activity, loitering, health issues. Currently in city operated buildings, we have security and custodial staff monitoring unisexlfamily washrooms on a regular basis. They frequently encounter safety and security issues. 1- 2 1 Staff Re ort p Krr~.~-~~,i~iER ~nfrastru~ture Servrces Department www.kitthenerta Through ongoing discussions, staff and the Boathouse operator collectively determined that the creation of a stand alone public unisex/family washroom within the Boathouse would create operational and security concerns for both parties. It is also important to note that at both Victoria Park open houses the issue of dedicating existing washrooms to the Boathouse restaurant operations was raised as a high need. Should Council wish to pursue the concept of a stand alone, city operated, unisexlfamily washroom, and staff have provided the following information: 1) The original concept of utilizing space in the existing female washroom is not feasible. We would need to completely re-configure the space and could not maintain the current number of fixtures for the Boathouse operations. This reduction in number of fixtures would directly impact the Operator's capacity. 2) The male washrooms could be completely re-configured to accommodate a unisex/family washroom and retention of the current number of fixture for the Boathouse operations. Cost : Class C estimate of $45,000 The space in the male washrooms was not originally considered or offered by the Boathouse operator, as the location was seen as less desirable than the female washroom. The female washroom was preferred due to better sightlines and proximity to the concession operations. The thought was this proximity would allow for increased monitoring of access to the unisexlfamily washroom. While the potential of utilizing space in the male washroom exists, the safetylsecurity concerns exist and the expense only gains one washroom fixture for public use. 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. 1- 3 1 Staff Re ort p Krr~.~-~~,i~iER ~nfrastru~ture Servrces Department www.kitthenerta 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 has had two washrooms facilities to meet the needs of users within the park. Other city wide parks have one main washroom facility to meet the needs of users. For special events, additional washroom facilities are brought in to meet the demand. Victoria Park has a higher attendance and greater frequency of events than other parks. The distances to the washrooms from areas within each park are similar to those listed above for Victoria Park. Potential solutions for washroom access: 1) Continue with Temporary Solution approved April 16t" ie. Seasonal washrooms located by Children's playground can be operational year round along with portable washroom trailers for special events) 2) A city operated unisexlfamily washroom could be installed in the male washroom at the Boathouse as outlined in the above "report section". Cost: Class C estimate of $45,000. This option would necessitate the continued use of washroom trailers for special events. 3) Public washrooms 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 Stalls, 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 custodiallstorage room. Facilities Management would see a slight increase in operational costs (utilities, custodial, security} and need to adjust budgets 4) A new washroom facility adjacent to Jubilee Drive could be planned in the 10 year capital forecast. Scope and budget would be established through the process. A scope comparable to Option 2 above would cost approximately $300,000. 1- 4 1 Staff Re ort p Krr~.~-~~,i~iER ~nfrastru~ture Servrces Department www.kitthenerta ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC 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 cost of Option 1 can be accommodated within existing budgets. The Cost of Option 2 could be accommodated within the funding allocation for boathouse landlord improvements already approved. The cost of Options 3 or 4 would need to be referred to the 2013 Capital Budget process for prioritization and approval. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT A Public Information Session will be scheduled in June and an online campaign will be launched to invite feedback via the city's Facebook and Twitter accounts. Specific contact will be made with the Victoria Park Neighbourhood Association, the Victoria Park Working Group and the organizers of major events. 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 as approved by Council on April 23, 2012. A recommendation for a long term solution will be brought forward to Council in September following further analysis and a public engagement process. ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Pauline Houston, Deputy CAO, Infrastructure Services Department 1- 5 1 Staff Re ort p Krr~.~-~~,i~iER ~nfrastru~ture Servrces Department www.kitthenerta 1- 6