Quinte West Councillor Sally Freeman.(Photo: John Spitters / Quintenews)
Downtown Trenton has been upgraded and beautified in the last number of years, and it has become a busier place not only during the day but during the evenings as well.
Now, there’s concern about the availability of public washrooms during the evenings when more entertainment events have been scheduled, especially during the warmer months.
Washrooms are available at the Fraser Park refuelling station, but are not staffed after the pumps close in the late afternoon in an effort to control labour costs.
The Trenton Downtown Business Improvement Area board has asked the city to keep the washrooms open at the Fraser Park refuelling station during evening events, and have also asked for accessible washrooms at the location. The current restrooms are not accessible.
Wednesday, Quinte West’s Corporate Finance Committee voted to recommend council approve allowing DBIA staff to hold washroom keys for Fraser Park during special events so the public can use the restrooms.
As well, the committee is recommending that staff bring back a report outlining options for the building of a public comfort station with accessible washrooms, possible locations and costs.
Renovating the existing Fraser Park building, which would be costly, is not seen as an option because it’s expected the land it’s on will be part of a new river crossing to be built in the next few years.
Councillor Sally Freeman said something had to be done and relatively soon as “we absolutely must have public washrooms available in our downtown.”
