Hopes of constructing permanent toilets in two Glenrothes parks remain distant, despite unanimous support for the idea by local councillors.
Members of Glenrothes area committee have agreed to continue installing temporary toilets in Riverside Park and Balbirnie Park after initial proposals to construct permanent conveniences were ruled out.
A report for councillors suggested that to install three permanent toilets would cost £94,000 per park, with an annual maintenance cost of £14,000.
Though the plans were ruled out by councillors, there continues to be unanimity throughout the committee to installing toilets in the parks, particularly Riverside.
However, concerned that the report prepared by council officers had appeared somewhat negative towards the proposal, SNP councillor Peter Grant asked staff to help members find alternative means of installing public conveniences.
“What we want is officers to come up with ideas as to how we are going to do this,” he said.
“The Town Park cannot continue without toilets and we need to think how we are going to do that. If the only way we can get toilets provided is to get someone to look after them, then that is something we should do.
“If it is important enough for the council to do it, then we can do it, and if we can’t make a showpiece attraction fit for purpose then something is not right.”
A petition with over 100 names was presented to the committee last month, requesting toilets to be installed at Riverside Park.
The area, a three-star VisitScotland attraction, is used by schools and community groups, as well as the public, although there is a belief that its use is stifled by a lack of toilets.
Councillor Ross Vettraino has appealed to community group the Friends of Riverside Park to assist the council, saying: “It’s a given that we are going to have toilets in Riverside Park it’s unthinkable that we won’t.
“However, the money is not there anymore and there are more demands with less money so it needs community involvement.”