A permanent restroom facility at International Harvester (IH) Park located on Canada Road has been approved for construction by the Lakeland Board of Commissioners (BOC). According to the resolution for approval, dated October 5, 2023, the 2022 Comprehensive Parks Master Plan showed that a restroom facility was one of the most requested amenities at the park from the general public. IH Park has been utilized over the years for a variety of outdoor events like the LAMP summer concert series as well as other events. In the past, the city would rent a portable restroom facility for each event so the need for a permanent facility has been apparent for some time.
Andrew Fisher, the new Director for Lakeland Parks and Recreation, said the facility will be family style with two separate restrooms. Each restroom will have a toilet and a sink, along with a diaper changing station and water fountains in the middle. The restroom facilities will be located near the existing senior center and the building will match the other buildings at the park. “The facility will have brick and stone at the bottom with exposed beams, just like the other buildings,” Mr. Fisher told Lakeland Currents. “They will be easy to access and of course ADA accessible.”
According to documents the total cost is estimated to be $297,005 and existing parks and recreation funds will be used for the project. The construction process is expected to take approximately 8 months, so officials hope to have it ready for summer use in 2024.
