Flushing out a solution

COUNCIL ASKED TO LOOK AT LOO SITUATION

KAMLOOPS – Looking for a loo at the Saturday farmers' market? The port-a-potty will have to do.

The Kamloops Regional Farmers' Market Society wants council to consider longer permits and to provide a better washroom solution to those using the downtown market but while council is willing to put the idea of longer permits to committee the bathrooms did not get a break.

Deanna Heurstfields and Frank Blom of the society say they have been providing port-a-potties but they are not an ideal situation, because of cost (about 10 per cent of the annual operating budget) and accessibility. They admitt they have yet to approach the school district, though part of the Saturday market takes place on school grounds.

With more than 3,000 people attending the weekly market Coun. Nancy Bepple offers the suggestion of opening up the museum, at Seymour St and 2nd Avenue, to market patrons and while there is some support among council for the idea staff is highly skeptical.

“The museum washroom is not a solution,” parks director Byron McCorkell offers. “People visiting the museum would be affected by those coming in just to use the toilet.”

Coun. Donovan Cavers thinks the idea holds potential for putting more eyes on the 'underutilized' museum and is willing to consider the idea dependent on cost. Not enough council members support the idea though and those attending the market will have to continue using temporary toilets.

To contact a reporter for this story, email jstahn@infotelnews.ca, call (250)819-3723 or tweet @JennStahn.