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“By having an attendant here whenever the washroom facility is open, it means there’s always eyes on the facility. Any issues associated with cleanliness or safety would be addressed right away and if there’s something the attendant can’t manage, they can report it to the city immediately.”

Photo by Ian Kucerak / Postmedia

The washroom will now be open on Sunday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. and between 10 a.m. and 3:30 a.m. on Friday, Saturday and statutory holidays, corresponding with the high use in the area.

Jodi Phelan, general manager at Boyle Street Ventures, said the washroom attendant position creates four full-time jobs, two part-time and six casual positions for Edmontonians who have barriers to employment.

“Our staff are all going to get a custodian certificate,” said Phelan.

“Most of our staff have already been trained (with naloxone) so they will get a refresher course. Everyone will carry the kit along with them. They have de-escalation training and conflict to calm.”

In the past, the facility has been identified as not only a place to use as a washroom, but as a place to shelter, or for drug and alcohol use. The partnership between the city and Boyle Street Ventures aims to address the needs of vulnerable Edmontonians who are homeless.

“Most of our employees have a lived experience and so they can share with people, they can talk to them, they can direct them to areas where they need help and get help,” said Phelan.

Photo by Ian Kucerak / Postmedia

Part of the pilot program will include tracking who uses the facility and why.

“I think our main goal is to figure out why they’re being used,” Phelan said. “If we can deter people from doing illicit things in the washrooms like using drugs and stuff like that, sending them maybe to the safe consumption sites to do that safely and just providing support to people out on the streets here. And also operate a comfortable place for citizens to come and use the washroom.”

If the pilot is deemed successful, there are plans in the works to expand public washrooms in other areas of the city.

ajunker@postmedia.com

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