New washroom and changing facilities at Neck Point Park officially opened Friday, representing a significant upgrade in amenities for the popular spot. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

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New washroom facilities open at Nanaimo’s Neck Point Park

Feb 10, 2023 | 10:35 AM

NANAIMO — One of the city’s most popular parks now has enhanced amenities.

Long-called-for washroom and changing facilities officially opened at Neck Point Park on Friday, Feb. 10, replacing a single outhouse.

Two universal washrooms paired with two outdoor changing spaces with showers geared toward SCUBA divers are now open for public use.

The City’s manager of parks operations Charlotte Davis said the new universal washroom building located in the parking lot was configured for all users.

“Whether you’re a wheelchair user, or visually impaired or maybe just unsteady on your feet there’s lots of space in that washroom to allow everybody to use it,” Davis told NanaimoNewsNOW.

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The washrooms feature stainless steel, vandal-proof fixtures, which Davis said represents the new standard of such facilities in their parks.

Davis said the changing rooms, connected to the washroom building, will open shortly.

The total budget for the washroom project was $510,000.

Crews began constructing the washroom building last summer, which was largely completed late last year.

A universal washroom, including baby changing station is now open at Neck Point Park. An adjoining changing room space will be used by SCUBA divers and others swimming in the area. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Davis estimates 300 to 500 people use Neck Point Park on a daily basis.

“We experienced some increase of usership of all of our parks during the pandemic, and post-pandemic we really haven’t seen much of a decrease at all,” she said.

In addition to being a popular spot for walkers, hikers and families with young children spotting gnome homes along the trail, the area is also perfect for SCUBA diving.

Inlets offer safe areas for new divers, while underwater attractions along the coastline are easily accessible.

Brenda Roszmann, owner of Nanaimo Dive Outfitters, previously told NanaimoNewsNOW they’re at the park almost every day.

“We do a lot of night dives there because of the animals and little critters that come out at night in that area. On what would be the left side [standing on shore] is a little crumbly wall, it’s a natural breakwater that has lots of marine life in it.”

No changes were made to parking in the area during these upgrades.

City staff intend to investigate and improve accessibility features in the park by adding an access mat to Finn Beach in the future.

Finn Beach is located directly across from the parking lot at Neck Point Park.

The new washroom sits overlooking the Neck Point Park parking lot and beach area, replacing a single stall outhouse. The changing room/showering space is located behind the wooden exterior. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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