“What this project has done is provide a safe place for people to come have a sense of belonging while being treated with dignity and respect.”
Article content
A 24-hour washroom trailer installed in Saskatoon’s core area as a pilot project this summer has been used more than 14,000 times in only two months, the city says.
The trailer, located at the site of the Central Urban Métis Federation (CUMFI) office at 315 Avenue M South, will be closed for the season on Thursday, the City of Saskatoon said in a news release on Wednesday.
Advertisement 2
Article content
It opened Aug. 27 and was fully staffed at all times by the Saskatoon Tribal Council (STC) Sawēyihtotān Program.
“People using this washroom location could use the facilities to wash up, rinse their clothes, have a snack along with a bottle of water or coffee,” the release noted.
“Sawēyihtotān Outreach also offered additional assistance with accessing emergency shelter and provided transportation and advocacy to connect individuals with other necessary resources.”
No intentional damage was done to the washroom at any time, and it remained fully operational with only minor plumbing repairs needed due to the high volume of users, the release noted.
“This pilot project has been a very positive experience for the City, Sawēyihtotān, CUMFI and those using the facility,” says Pamela Goulden McLeod, Director of the Saskatoon Emergency Management Organization.
“What this project has done is provide a safe place for people to come have a sense of belonging while being treated with dignity and respect. It also acted as an informal navigation centre for anyone who looking for help, shelter and stability.”
Afternoon Headlines
Article content
Advertisement 3
Article content
Feedback from users and community partners “has been overwhelmingly positive,” she added. “The facility and partnership model has proven to be a much-needed resource, and the trailer has been a great success story for our community
“We extend our thanks to CUMFI for hosting the washroom trailer, to Sawēyihtotān for staffing the trailer location, to the Saskatoon Friendship Inn for providing daily sandwiches and for all of the residents, businesses and partners who provided their support.”
The city allocated $700,000 was allocated to the project from a capital reserve. About $506,300 was spent, including the purchase and modifications to the trailer, staffing, supplies and maintenance.
The used trailer itself cost just under $52,000, the city said.
The pilot project came about after residents and businesses in Riversdale and Pleasant Hill expressed mounting concern to city council and the board of police commissioners about deteriorating conditions, including instances of people defecating and urinating in public.
City council approved the project in May after hearing that fire department staff encounter most homeless encampments in the two core neighbourhoods and there were effectively no publicly accessible washroom facilities available in the area after 6 p.m.
Advertisement 4
Article content
Recommended from Editorial
The Saskatoon Star Phoenix has created an Afternoon Headlines newsletter that can be delivered daily to your inbox so you are up to date with the most vital news of the day. Click here to subscribe.
With some online platforms blocking access to the journalism upon which you depend, our website is your destination for up-to-the-minute news, so make sure to bookmark thestarphoenix.com and sign up for our newsletters so we can keep you informed. Click here to subscribe.
Article content
