Local dignitaries gathered on Friday to officially open the new family washroom and changing room near the entrance to the Sonora Community Centre. It’s been designed with the needs of those with disabilities in mind. From left are Town of Osoyoos Director of Community Services Gerald Davis, Coun. Jim King, Mike Stiles, Callum Scott-Fuhr (being held), Dale Fuhr (back), Leanne Scott, Tamara Falkenholt (Callum’s educational assistant) and Coun. Mike Campol. (Richard McGuire photo)
An unfortunate incident at the Sonora Community Centre last year became a catalyst for change and inclusivity.
At the time, local resident Leanne Scott needed to change her son, Callum Scott-Fuhr, 7, a child with special needs.
Finding no suitable place, she ended up doing it on a washroom floor in one of the cubicles.
It was cramped, unsanitary and noisy for a little boy who is more bothered than most by loud noises.
When Sonora Centre staff learned that Scott had to do this, they were disturbed and, according to Scott, one woman was on the verge of tears.
But when Scott took her concerns to the Town of Osoyoos, Gerald Davis, director of community services, jumped into action.
A few months and some renovations later, the result is a family washroom and change room with an adult change table near the entrance to the Sonora Centre. It was officially opened on Friday.
“I really can’t express how deeply moved we are that Gerald and the Town of Osoyoos jumped on this project – to help give special needs children and adults a safe, clean and dignity filled washroom space,” Scott wrote in a note of appreciation.
“Osoyoos will be known as a leader within the Okanagan as a community that cares enough to rearrange its public spaces so that anyone who may need a little extra help using these facilities in public spaces has it,” she continued.
But the project was very much a joint effort, with Scott reaching out on the internet to other families with special needs to discuss what such an amenity should include.
Mike Stiles, an Osoyoos resident who has long advocated for inclusivity for those with disabilities, also climbed on board and participated in the planning.
Davis said the project required several thousand dollars from the town budget to purchase the adult change table, as well as to renovate, which included opening a wall. The town has funds allocated to improve accessibility.
The changing room is now interconnected through a large doorway with the washroom and there is comfortable seating for an adult who needs to accompany a child or adult with special needs.
The facility is not gender specific, so it eliminates awkward situations where an adult must accompany a child of the opposite gender.
Councillors Mike Campol and Jim King attended the opening on behalf of town council.
As Scott discussed with reporters the importance of this project, Campol underlined that providing dignity is an important aspect.
Davis and Stiles also attended, along with Callum and his father Dale Fuhr and Callum’s educational assistant Tamara Falkenholt, who came with Scott.
Stiles said afterwards that he was pleased with the project and the town has been responsive, but often removing barriers to accessibility come down to money.
He’s spoken to the town about other needs, such as improvements to curbs and sidewalks to make them more wheelchair accessible, but some of these haven’t yet been done due to the biggest obstacle – lack of funds.
RICHARD McGUIRE
Osoyoos Times
A new family washroom and changing room was officially opened Friday at the Sonora Community Centre. It was designed with people with disabilities in mind and includes a full-sized changing table. (Richard McGuire photo)
