29 Jul 2024 Special Council meeting Environment

Options for Additional Accessible Washrooms at Westwood Lake Park

Motion
That Council direct Staff to proceed with Option 3 – Convert One Non -Accessible Washroom into One Accessible Washroom and increase the 2024 project budget by $100,000 funded by $35,000 from the City Wide Parks DCC Reserve Fund and $65,000 from the Special Initiatives Reserve.
Minutes, page 7
Sources
Agenda itemCity agenda, whole meeting
Staff reportPage 1
Purpose
To present options for adding an additional accessible washroom at Westwood Lake Park beyond what is already included in the capital project design and obtain direction to implement Council’s preferred option.
Staff report, page 1
Staff recommendation
That Council direct Staff to proceed with Option 3 – Convert One Non-Accessible Washroom into One Accessible Washroom and increase the 2024 project budget by $100,000 funded by $35,000 from the City Wide Parks DCC Reserve Fund and $65,000 from the Special Initiatives Reserve.
Staff report, page 1
DocumentsStaff report about Arts, Culture & Heritage, Environment & Natural Resources, Parks & Recreation

Hilary Eastmure Yes

Good Councillor Eastmeer. I just share. From the accessibility committee's perspective, they felt that the current use of the park. Is not a true reflection of how many people would be using that park. If it was at all accessible, if there were accessible washrooms and if we're trying to build something that's future proof. That we need to be able to provide. An adequate number of washrooms, and especially with the fact that. The one larger unit in option one is also kind of a family change room thing that creates a situation where then, if you have. Someone in a wheelchair who needs a fully accessible washroom stall. They don't have access. To it, and I think. We are seeing the huge growth in our community and how love this park is. And as soon as it is actually accessible.

Leonard Krog Yes

Option of option one. As much as I appreciate the principles around accessibility and universality, one in seven of these washrooms is going to be fully accessible and universal. And you have to consider the makeup of the general population. I'm not sure, candidly. That it merits an extra $100,000 of public funds, and circumstances like this, I'd be interested to hear from other members of Councillor. And I appreciate it's a recommendation. Of the committee. But money is money, as they say back home. And $100,000. Is a substantial amount of money to accommodate one.

Questions and answers

Councillor Hilary Eastmure
Speaker identificationConfident
Yes

asked
Facility that isn't? Also a washroom. Thank you for your
City staff answered
Question and through your worship. The discussion around dedicated change facilities is a discussion that we'd had early on within the design of the project and taking a look at the parks operations records. There really aren't too many calls for that facility to get opened. The existing washrooms there have two change facilities within them and they're not really high use at this point, so the cost per square footage to build new change facilities didn't seem like the best use to funding where we could dovetail it with other uses that we're already planning to include. So all of the universal washrooms include a bench in there so that you can use that at the change facility. They're of a size where I've got two younger kids. If I'm going there and I need to get them in their swimsuits, I could pop them up on the bench and get them changed and we're good to go. The universal accessible washroom has larger benches, which are helpful for folks that need it from that accessibility perspective. But it would also be able to be used as a family change room as well if the need arises. Councilor Prino.
followed up
Thank you, you, worship. And. I think you actually may have answered it. I just wondered if there was, like, a baby change. Table. In the univers. Universal washroom. Through your worship? Yes, there is. Okay, good. Thank you. Thank