Changes made to washroom

The City of Vernon recently removed two benches and trimmed shrubbery that sat to the east side of a controversial washroom on 30th Ave. and 35th St.

The washroom has been causing problems since its installation in 2019 with business owners saying they've had to call bylaw and RCMP multiple times for overdoses and other disturbances.

“They would do their drugs, they would pass out, make noise, banging, sexual acts,” said Teeter Totter Toy’s Manager, Erica Arteaga.

“It's all kind of happened.”

Arteaga also said that she had seen 25 people around the facility at once. She and other business owners have seen a decrease in revenue due to activity in the space.

“We have a lot of elderly and seniors around here, so it's hard for them to walk to their appointments, even to go downtown,” said Amanda Petersen with Shear Dimensions Hair Design & Esthetics.

“It’s a safety issue.”

When passed by Vernon council, the idea behind the bench removal and hedge trim was that it would deter groups gathering and increase public visibility to the spot. Arteaga has not seen groups loitering around the space since the changes were implemented about a week ago.

While council's plan appears to be working, both Arteaga and Peterson are wondering if this solution will last long term.

“I don't know how much it's actually going to deter them from using the bathroom. It's not so much around the bushes that is the problem, it's inside the bathroom that causes the problem,” said Petersen.

Both businesses say that summer is when the area is most used so residents may have to wait for warmer weather to see if changes have worked.