You're just going to have to hold it.

Town of the Blue Mountains Council will wait for another staff report before deciding on what action to take on a BIA request for public washrooms in downtown Thornbury.

Downtown businesses have been lobbying the town to provide public washrooms because they have people, not necessarily customers, coming in off the street and asking to use the washroom.

The BIA has said it's a safety and security issue because in many cases their washrooms are located at the back of the building near storage or stock rooms. Often, workers are alone in the store and feel uncomfortable in these situations.

A recreation department report outlined three options:
• Rent two portable washroom units for eight months at a cost of $2,016;
• Rent a six unit portable comfort station at a cost of $45,900;
• Build a three unit accessible facility at a cost of at least $65,000.

The report indicated that there was no funding allotted in the 2008 budget for the project, but Recreation Director Shawn Everitt said there was money available from the ball diamond budget.

Everitt also said they had not confirmed a location for the public washrooms, in whatever shape they took, but they were considering the Hester Street parking lot behind the main street parkette or the parking lot at the old curling club location.

He also suggested they create better signage directing the public to existing public washrooms located at the Thornbury Harbour, Bayview Park, and the municipal offices.

Councillor Cam Kennedy was disappointed at the town's response to the BIA request.

"The BIA has been before us before on this issue. They've written letters. They contribute over $80,000 to downtown beautification and our answer is to put in a couple of port-a-potties," he said.

"The economic driver in Thornbury is the BIA and it would be nice to give them some help," said Councillor Kennedy. "People are coming to town, spending hundreds of dollars and all we can offer them is a couple of rent-a-loos."

Councillor Bob Gamble said he supported locating the rental units in the Hester St. parking lot because it is closest to the downtown. He also said the town should start small.

"I do support having something there, but we should start small, see if there is a problem with vandalism and if there is, we will have to consider other options," said Councillor Gamble.

Deputy Mayor Duncan McKinlay asked if there were any businesses the downtown that would be willing to partner with the municipality to provide washroom facilities and Mayor Ellen Anderson agreed the port-a-potty solution was not the best situation when the town is hosting high profile events like the Skins Game and the Wayne Gretzky Classic.