Restroom revival

This restroom at the Southway boat ramp is about to get some TLC.

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Story Published: Jul 1, 2009 at 8:49 AM PDT

Story Updated: Jul 1, 2009 at 8:49 AM PDT

By Matt Loveless

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LEWISTON - It smells, it's hot...and it's one of the only bathrooms up and down area rivers.

That's why the rest stop at the Southway boat ramp in Lewiston is getting an overhaul.

"We teamed up with the city, they agreed with their Public Works department to help put in the sewer and the water," said Ron Wittman, Nez Perce county commissioner.

The new facility will have separate men's and women's rooms, and flushing toilets, conveniences that aren't available now - something Wittman says has turned away boaters for years.

It's a welcome change for one boater who was at the ramp Tuesday, but he was concerned the new facilities would be vandalized as fast as they're built. Wittman said that shouldn't become an issue.

"Avista's going to be lighting that whole pathway through there and along the pathway of the parking lot. So I really don't think that's going to be a problem."

It's a $135,000 project, with almost $80,000 coming from a state Parks and Recreation Grant.

Wittman said a county waterways improvement fund will help pick up the rest of the bill. He says construction should start when steelhead season ends

"It's going to be a great project. It's going to make that a lot nicer down there."

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