Public Washroom on Bowen Island
From "Community Economic Development Plan"
Go to the project
Most businesses on Bowen Island do not offer public washrooms, or if they did, they have since stopped during COVID. Many have even stopped offering washroom services for guests. I know if I am running errands in Vancouver, I can not find a place 'to go' unless I buy something from a restaurant or cafe, or fill up my vehicle with gasoline. Those are all examples of businesses that are required by law to provide washroom facilities. Simply suspending usage of washrooms in private business has not stopped the human need to go.
If there were public washrooms available, this would offload the commons of the ferry washrooms to the newly created public washrooms.
For those that want to encourage visitors, this gives a nice way for local businesses to stay safe and point to the public washrooms.
Additionally, I think we all want to discourage visitors "going" in public parks.
Some of the main concerns I've heard about the ferry washrooms are overuse, and businesses that point to the ferry washroom instead of trying to pay for their own. I too would like to have somewhere for my guests to bike to and go, instead of piggybacking on the ferries facilities. Additionally, what will the situation be like short term in 2021 when the updates are made to the ferry terminal in Snug Cove. I don't believe there will be any washrooms available?
Where the placement of these new washrooms, would be up for a community debate, but for now just the idea of having public washrooms on Bowen would be great for everyone here, and visitors.
In short this is a great idea for businesses to welcome visitors, but can not provide washrooms for them. This is great for visitors who need to 'go' while exploring Bowen's beauty, and do not want to defile it. This is great for locals who will also need to 'go' once in a while, while abroad from Snug Cove. This is great for ourselves to 'pay our way' instead of treating a the ferry's facilities as public grounds.
Please comment below, constructive criticism and ideas welcomed! The Best - Brendan