Work To Start To Transform Toilets In Welland Park

Work to transform toilet facilities in Market Harborough’s Welland Park will start next month.

The project, costing £235,000, is being supported by Changing Place UK – a group which helps create accessible changing space for adults and children with disabilities.

The toilet block owned by Harborough District Council will be fully refurbished and reconfigured, with baby change facilities in the male, female and accessible toilets, making it suitable for all needs.

Toilets in Welland Park

Cllr Jonathan Bateman, Cabinet lead for open spaces, said: “This is a hugely popular park, and this project will provide much-needed improvements to the facilities for visitors.

“Our investment and grant funding will allow us to provide a much better space, with a Changing Places toilet. The building will also be designed to incorporate environmental features that improve efficiency and sustainability.”

The project is being funded with £100,000 from Section 106 funding, provided by developers for community infrastructure in areas where new homes have been built, £88,000 from Changing Place UK and £47,000 of investment from the Council.

Lib Dem Ward councillor Barbara Johnson told HFM the upgrade can’t come soon enough:

The toilets will be the first Changing Places facility in the district, and will benefit from specialist equipment including a height adjustable changing table and associated hoist, nonslip flooring, reduced ceiling height, privacy screens and clear manoeuvring space.

In addition to the internal refurbishment, there will be some external refurbishment including the roof which will be in keeping with the original building.

The work will start on Monday 7 November and is expected to be completed in February 2023.

The toilets will be not be open during the work, with the nearest public toilet at the Commons car park, or a toilet available for customers of the Welland Park café close by.