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City looking at reopening downtown bus station restrooms

Sorenson Station restrooms closed two years ago because of vandalism
bus-station
City of Red Deer staff will bring a report back to council next year on what is involved in reopening restrooms at Sorenson Station. (Advocate file photo)

Restrooms at Sorenson Station closed because of repeated vandalism may reopen.

The restrooms were in the 2026 budget but during last week's budget debate Coun. Dianne Wyntjes had proposed bringing the item forward into the 2025 spending plans.

After some discussion, council instead voted to direct administration to bring a report back to council by the end of the first quarter 2025 outlining how the restrooms could be brought back and what it would cost. The 2026 budget estimated $450,000 in capital and $100,000 in operating costs.

It was proposed that three men and three women's stalls be installed in renovated restrooms. They would be open 12 hours a day, seven days a week and would be monitored to protect against the vandalism that had proved such a big problem before.

Vandals went as far as smashing toilets and plugging the plumbing with "hazardous materials" among other damage.

Last summer, the city operated temporary washrooms downtown and they proved popular and successful in reducing the amount of public defecation.

Wyntjes said the city needs to act.

"It is a public health issue that requires a response from us as a municipality."

Coun. Cindy Jefferies echoed the need to provide the facilities.

"I think it's important for us to provide this basic level of service in our downtown."