Toilets set to go but arbour's fate unknown

The Dixon St toilets in Masterton's Queen Elizabeth Park should be demolished before Christmas, although the fate of the rose arbour is still unknown.

A new toilet and the historic pissoir near the Dixon St block were officially opened to public earlier this month.

Masterton District Councillors agreed to the demolition of the old facility at a policy and finance committee meeting on Tuesday.

Two single-pan Exeloo units have been installed in the park and in Kuripuni, at a cost of around $176,000.

The pissoir was restored at an estimated cost of $48,500 but came in about 20 per cent under budget with help from the community. It was installed near the new park toilet.

Council officers closed the Dixon St block as soon as the new toilets were opened.

They recommended the toilets be removed as they are no longer in service, as well as the associated rose arbour.

Parks and open spaces task group chairwoman Jane Terpstra said councillors agreed to demolish the Dixon St toilets.

She said this would be done as soon as possible and hopefully before Christmas.

Parks and facilities manager Grant Hathaway said a meeting will be held on Friday to make a recommendation on the rose arbour.