The district has again delayed building washroom facilities at Hatzic Park, despite the fact council has approved the project several times in previous years.
Hatzic Park currently has one unisex washroom with a holding tank that is pumped out twice per year, with no running water and just a hand sanitizer.
Building a proper washroom facility would include establishing a septic field and water service that would require allocating $43,000 for one unit, plus $22,000 for two gender-specific washrooms.
Despite strong objections from Couns. Mike Scudder and Heather Stewart, council voted 3-2 to delay until November, following staff recommendations the district wait for the proposed Hatzic Ridge housing development, which will include sewer services.
The developer is still waiting for engineering drawings before council can give final approval, but district staff estimated the project could begin late this year.
But Scudder said it was unacceptable to extend the three-year delay in building proper washroom facilities, saying park visitors are often forced to use the woods.
Some residents asked council for a temporary solution, but council said since the season is almost over it wouldn’t be considered.
