Toilet revamp could cost up to £225,000

Plans to remodel and refurbish vandal hit public toilets at the Gravel car park could cost as much as £225,000.

Town councillors have for months attempted to grapple how to transform the toilets which have cost the council thousands of pounds in repairs mainly due to vandalism.

Plans have been put together to remodel the building, with access to five individual cubicles via individual external doors. Changing facilities, a baby changing area and store facilities would also be included.

But the estimated costs have risen and council officers have been looking to identify match funding to help pay for the work.

The full town council will be asked to allow the council to proceed with a 'TRansforming Towns Fund' grant and to give provision for up to £55,000 from its own funds.

The toilets were transferred from Powys County Council to the town council in 2018. The town council previously had a licence to operate them.

"Over the years, the toilet facilities at the Gravel Car Park have experienced a decline in their condition, posing increasing challenges in maintaining them to an acceptable standard," a report states.

"The proposed solution involves a comprehensive overhaul, including the complete removal of existing fixtures and a redesign of the internal layout. This redesign aims to accommodate up to five externally accessible toilet cubicles, with three designated as gender-neutral and one each for male and female use. Separate ‘changing places’ facilities and disabled toilet and a dedicated baby changing facility with toilet."

It adds: "Initially, the projected cost of the project, as outlined in the Project Initiation Document (PID), ranged from £100k to £150k. It was initially anticipated that we could secure full funding through grants. However, subsequent assessments, factoring in increased labour and material costs, have revised the estimated project cost to fall within the range of £175k to £225k."

Other alternative grant opportunities have failed.

On Monday, town councillors will decide on the next course of action.