Flintstone Park restrooms to be replaced by Portland loos

Oak Harbor is crazy for shiny metal bathrooms.

On Wednesday, the city council and staff discussed a plan to replace the restroom at Flintstone Park on Bayshore Drive with Portland loos, prefabricated public toilets that are designed to be easy to clean and discourage people from conducting non-bathroom-related activities inside.

Two of the new-fangled outhouses were installed at Windjammer Park, and users have appeared to be satisfied.

For years, Island Transit had an agreement with the city to provide cleaning services at the Flintstone Park restrooms, which is across the street from the busy bus transfer station.

Last year, the transit agency agreed to fund $70,000 toward two Portland loos in lieu of mopping up inside, City Engineer Jim Bridges said.

City staff will demolish the current restrooms, which tested negative for asbestos.

The city is asking for bids for pouring a concrete pad and installing the loos.

The estimated cost of the work, which doesn’t include the loos, is $42,500, according to city documents.

The new lavatories are expected to be installed this fall.