SHERBROOKE — The Department of Natural Resources and Renewables (DNRR) has re-opened one of two outhouses located along Hwy. 7 in response to the frustration and disappointment expressed by residents regarding their indefinite closure, as reported by The Journal last week.
“We closed the toilets out of concern for public safety,” Erin Lynch, DNRR communications advisor, told The Journal of the return of the facility located next to the St. Mary’s River Salmon Museum and across from a park along the river. “However, we’ve since heard equal concern from the public about not having access to them this year.”
While reminding users to be vigilant and look for oncoming traffic when crossing the busy roadway to access the outhouse, Lynch explained that DNRR continues to work on a long-term solution that addresses both access and safety issues.
Over the past week, the barrier and closed sign at the outhouse location have been removed, while the grass on the path leading to it has been mowed. A sign had been posted on the small building in the park across the road advising people to exercise caution when crossing to access the toilets, although that sign is now missing.
Although residents and visitors are pleased one outhouse has been returned, they were hopeful that the second one would also be re-opened.
Vernon Jordan, who has a cottage in the area, is among those who were upset about the closure: “Removing the outhouses was ridiculous,” he said. “They have been there for years and people rely on them. They’re used by people who live here, when they’re out for a walk or stopping to look at the river, and by visitors, too.”
He also suggests a more long-term solution: “It would make better sense for them [DNRR] to replace the outhouses with a permanent bathroom; [one] with running water, a sink and flushable toilets that people can use all year-round, like the single bathroom beside the pharmacy.”
Preferring driving over air travel, including outside of Canada, Jordan has made use of many such stop-overs and bathrooms during his excursions over the years: “They have bathroom facilities all along the highways in other places. Spots where people can pull over and take a break, and use the toilet if they need to,” he explained.
“That’s what they should be doing here. It’s not hard to figure out; it’s a pretty simple solution that just makes sense.”
