Above watch: The City of Lethbridge is proposing a self cleaning porta-potty downtown, but some say it’s like flushing money down the drain. Kimberly Tams reports.
Lethbridge – The next time you have to run to the loo while shopping in downtown Lethbridge, it may be as easy as heading to the street corner. Lethbridge city council is proposing portable washrooms in the downtown core in the hopes of stopping public urination.
“We are in the early stages of looking at a number of possible locations, and one of those would be in the downtown,” said Jeff Greene, the director of planning and development with the city of Lethbridge.
Business owner Robin James is furious, and says a washroom wouldn’t solve any bathroom issues in the downtown core.
“We would take any legal action to make sure it’s not by us,” she said.
James says the city of Lethbridge is looking at placing the porta potty near her business, between 5th and 7th Street and 5th and 6th Avenue.
“The unit won’t be small. It’s supposed to be 12 feet long by eight feet wide,” said James. “I’m pretty sure that most businesses would not like a porta-potty that is quite a large size in front of their business, and it will attract a negative crowd.”
Last year a similar self-cleaning bathroom unit was installed at the Crossings Park sports field area in west Lethbridge and city officials say it’s been well used.
According to James, a $100,000 portable washroom in downtown Lethbridge is a waste of money. In fact, she says there are eight perfectly functional toilettes in Galt Gardens.
“I would prefer if they opened the eight bathrooms available in Galt Gardens. Those washrooms are there to be used,” adds James
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