There was considerable discussion at the City of Penticton council meeting last week, as to whether or not to spend money (aka taxpayers money) to install porta-potties in several key downtown areas.
A councillor asked if these porta-potties would be “supervised.” This was clarified to mean “inspected,” on a regular basis.
While council agreed to the staff recommendation, I have a big question for the mayor and city council. Why on earth are the public washrooms (south side of Gyro Park) locked? There was a considerable crowd at Gyro Park this afternoon, for the second annual Peach Festival Chef’s Cook-off, and just two small washrooms behind Gyro bandshell, and no paper towels to clean off a messy picnic table bench.
I don’t expect it has escaped anyone’s attention that there are hundreds (and more) visiting Penticton for the festival, not forgetting the highly popular Saturday Farmers Market and the Downtown Market. Maybe the city could also consider putting out more than one picnic table at Gyro Park. Fortunately, I had a cloth with me, so we could wash off the one and only picnic table that was sticky with what looked like leftover chocolate ice cream.
The city had kindly put up some bleachers, so we could sit in the shade and watch the cook-off, but they must have got them from the local elementary school, as they seemed to be designed for shorter legs. Maybe an “engagement contractor” could connect with the public using city parks, then advice the city as the most appropriate needs for public facilities.
Brigid Kemp
Penticton