River
Heights residents brave cold to celebrate new Ryan's
Park restrooms
By Diane
Denning
November 13, 2008 | RIVER HEIGHTS -- Little girls were
actually allowed, but hesitantly ran into the boys'
bathroom for a tour at the opening ceremonies for the
new bathrooms at Ryan's Park Place. The bathrooms are
directly east of Ryan's Park located at 600 East and
550 South.
A few residents, along with Mayor Baker, and some
members of the City Council gathered Tuesday for the
official plaque-hanging ceremony. The crowd suffered
through the cold for this occasion.
The plans for the bathroom started with the council
in May. Councilwoman Hadfield wrote a grant proposal
to the county to gain some extra funding. Through that
grant, the city was able to build the bathrooms.
"We were thankful for the grant, because it was money
the city didn't have, but an update the park needed,"
Councilman Rob Gines said.
Sorensen and Gnehm Construction were the builders
on this project. They completed the bathrooms in just
less than two months.
"We couldn't have found a better construction crew,"
said Mayor Baker. "They cared a lot about what they
were building. They acted like they were building their
own home."
The new bathrooms include a men's and a women's bathroom.
Both are equipped with three stalls and electric hand
dryers. The bathrooms will also have an electronic lock
system that locks and unlocks the bathroom doors at
a set time each day.
In between the bathrooms is a plumbing room, which
allows for easy access if a problem arises. There is
also a hose hook-up to allow for a quick spray down
if the bathrooms become dirty.
"The plumbers did a great job as well on the bathrooms,"
Public Works Supervisor Kent Parker said.
Mayor Baker said the original bathrooms in the park
were over 30 years old. The toilets would become clogged
due to paper towels being shoved down the toilet and
the bathrooms weren't up to date. The new bathrooms
will eliminate mess from paper towels with the electric
hand dryers, as well as keep vandalism down with the
automatic locks.
"Updated bathrooms were much needed," Mayor Baker
said. "River Heights couldn't afford to do it without
the help of the county. We are so pleased we can't believe
it."
The park and the bathrooms will close next week for
the winter. Both will open for public use around April.
NW
MS |
