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Public facilities known as Portland Loos installed in downtown Chilliwack

‘We heard clearly from the community about the need for more public washrooms downtown’ said mayor
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Crews install one of two Portland Loo public washroom units in Chilliwack, just north of Five Corners on Young Road. (Jennifer Feinberg/ Chilliwack Progress)

The Portland Loos have arrived in downtown Chilliwack.

City of Chilliwack workers were installing the public washroom facilities Wednesday morning on Young Road, north of Five Corners, with a second one going in next to the Chilliwack Library.

“We heard clearly from the community about the need for more public washrooms and water fountains downtown,” said Mayor Ken Popove, on the morning of installation.

The facilities and fountains were ordered last June during the killer heat wave.

“It is unfortunate that supply chain issues and extreme weather delayed their installation, but we are pleased to see this project finished before this summer,” Popove noted.

The facilities will be open to the public 24/7, year-round.

Both locations were chosen in consultation with the Downtown Chilliwack Business Improvement Association.

The Book Man owner Amber Price praised the decision by council to order the facilities last summer, noting they offer people dignity, and access to safe drinking water.

The unique Portland Loo design uses Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles, like blue lighting to discourage drug use. Each unit has coated steel walls for durability and easy cleaning, angled louvres for privacy, and exterior hand-washing. Life expectancy for these washrooms is up to 100 years with proper maintenance.

Each water fountain has a spout for humans, pets, and one for filling water bottles.

The $400,000 city project to purchase Portland Loos was funded in part through a COVID-19 Safe Restart Grant. A total of $200,000 reduced the city’s share of costs in this investment in the downtown through the joint federal/provincial grant funding stream.

RELATED: Street washrooms with drinking fountains coming

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Jennifer Feinberg

About the Author: Jennifer Feinberg

I have been a Chilliwack Progress reporter for 20+ years, covering the arts, city hall, as well as Indigenous, and climate change stories.
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