District council has agreed to pursue proposals for the construction of a portable washroom facility estimated to cost about $89,000.
Last month, council approved the purchase of a portable stage unit for $154,907, with the intention of also purchasing a portable washroom unit that could be used in tandem with the stage at events.
At last week’s council meeting, town manager Evan Parliament said staff reached out to TA Structures for quotes, and in turn received two portable washroom options, with designs. Option 1 was estimated to cost about $60,000, and option 2 about $89,000.
Council opted for number two, the design of which shows 10 toilets, four urinals and four showers, contained in a 10 by 40-foot unit. The design for option 1 shows five toilets with two urinals.
With both options estimated to cost more than $50,000, Parliament explained the district is obligated to initiate a request for proposal process for either.
“We could fund either option – we have the money to fund either option based on the quote, but I’m obliged to go to tender,” said Parliament.
The district has about $220,000 in reserve to purchase both the stage and the washroom. An additional $75,000 was received through the Columbia Shuswap Regional economic opportunity fund to support the expense.
Coun. Jeff Mallmes was first to voice a preference for option 2.
“The chamber is talking about four different music events and we’re using the stage to have this music on and you get 200 people – technically we need more bathrooms,” said Mallmes, adding it has been suggested stage rental could earn the district $3,000 for a weekend, and perhaps $5,000 with the washroom.
One concern of Mallmes, however, was the shower stalls. Parliament said the diagram could easily be modified to exclude the showers – depending on what type of events council hopes to attract.
“When you look at some recent discussions of holding some summer events on the water involving different stakeholders and large groups, option two does seem to be the preferred option…,” said Parliament. “If you’re only going to have one event of 25-50 people, option 1 is more than enough. But if you’re going to have an event of 400… 1,000 people, option 2, obviously, for the extra $30,000 roughly, is the preferred option and I think I speak for all of staff.”
Coun. Janna Simons asked how the unit would be transported, and was told it would have to be on a skidder. Parliament said the unit, if built by TA Structures, would come with a one-year warranty and that TA is willing to move it for the first year locally at a cost of about $250 per move.
“Yes, we do have a local company that can transport but what happens when that local company is tied up? Do we have a backup plan?” asked Coun. Colleen Anderson.
“That is something we’re going to have to ask to have clarified for the next meeting,” replied Parliament.
Mallmes suggested there are other means available locally to transport the unit.
Council voted in favour of asking staff prepare a tender package for option 2, with Simons voting in favour of option 1. Mayor Terry Rysz was on vacation.
