Puyallup plans to renovate this 30-something-year-old restroom for $1.5 million
Something is going to look a little different at Pioneer Park in the fall.
The city of Puyallup plans to renovate the restroom building at Pioneer Park. The new restroom will be about 1,222 square feet and will include two family restrooms in addition to the female and male gender stalls.
“Pioneer Park has become a destination for families, especially in the summer. Having these family restrooms will increase the park’s attractiveness and complement the park’s existing features,” Sarah Harris, parks and recreation director, said in a news release.
Construction is expected to begin in October. The City Council approved a design concept during the Jan. 25 meeting. The new restroom will have red brick walls and a sloped roof.
The total cost to renovate the restroom is about $1.59 million. Funds will come from the state’s Local Infrastructure Financing Tool grant program.
The restroom was built in 1990. There have been plumbing and sewer issues, city spokesperson Eric Johnson said. The restroom is also “very dark and cavernous,” which poses a safety concern for people who use them, he said.
The “tipping point” was when the city installed the spray park nearby in 2014, Johnson said. More people used the restroom, which heightened the plumbing and sewer issues, he said.
“They’ve just outlived their useful life,” Johnson said.
Pioneer Park is the home of events such as the Farmers’ Market and Meeker Days festival.
The city is working with a consultant to get detailed cost estimates and a building design, Johnson said. The city plans to put out construction bids over the summer.
This story was originally published February 13, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
