Owen Sound City Council has voted unanimously to move ahead with renovations to the Farmers’ Market washrooms, a $75,000 investment aimed at improving accessibility and meeting a long-identified need in the downtown River District.
The decision came during Monday night’s council meeting following a detailed staff report from City Manager Tim Simmonds on public washroom infrastructure and operations. The report outlined several options for improving public washroom access downtown, ranging from portable toilets to a $450,000 self-cleaning model. Council ultimately chose the renovation of the existing Farmers’ Market facility as the most practical and cost-effective approach.
"A capital cost is expected of $75,000 with annual operating costs of $12,000 to $15,000," Simmonds explained. "We're suggesting that that annual operating cost be funded by the city's portion of the municipal accommodation tax and not property taxes."
Under the approved plan, the washroom renovation will be added as a new 2025 capital project, with completion scheduled for 2026. Funding for the project will come from the City’s Capital Reserve.
Simmonds’ report emphasized that upgrading the existing facility strikes the right balance between community need, accessibility, and fiscal responsibility.
“The Farmers’ Market location already benefits from existing infrastructure and strong public support,” the report noted. “Renovation provides a realistic, efficient path forward compared to more costly options like self-cleaning or standalone washroom models.”
Simmonds says the O'SHaRe, a charity that offer support and food for those who need it, has offered to share its knowledge.
"O'SHaRe has renovated their washrooms and redone their washrooms, and they were very open to sharing their design, materials and other things that they've used to combat vandalism and misuse," Simmonds continued. "We also have the ability to look at what some of these self-cleaning manufacturers are using in those mobile units."
The project aligns with Owen Sound’s Vision 2050 Strategic Plan, which highlights accessibility, inclusion, and downtown revitalization as key priorities. Public washroom access was also identified in the River District Action Plan as an important step toward creating a more welcoming and vibrant downtown.
Council’s decision follows months of consultation with residents, local businesses, and community organizations. Community feedback played a major role in council’s decision. In a recent survey, nearly 60 per cent of respondents supported adding or improving public washroom facilities in the River District. Respondents cited cleanliness, safety, and accessibility as top priorities.
The upgraded Farmers’ Market washroom is expected to operate year-round with extended hours between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. to support both visitors and vendors in the River District. The City will report back annually on operating costs and performance once the renovations are complete.
