Photo by Jason Franson/The Canadian Press
A bunch of thirsty, playoff-crazed Oilers fans have been relieving themselves on the streets of downtown Edmonton, and all that urine is starting to piss some people off.Counselor Scott McKeen reportedly raised the issue on Tuesday, telling city council that residents in the downtown area of the city have been complaining about public urination after witnessing people relieving themselves in doorways, alcoves, and streets. As a result, the washrooms in the areas hit hardest by the increased free-flow of human urine—Tix on the Square in the Churchill Square of downtown Edmonton—will now be open an hour after Oilers hockey games, according to the CBC."Many of these fans participate in the Canadian tradition of mixing various amounts of beer and or other beverages with spectatorship," McKeen said. "Unfortunately for downtown residents that I'm hearing from, inevitable fluid dynamics results in less-than-civil behaviour."In the alleyways there have been a few incidents of public urination. Downtown is a residential and business community as well and we wouldn't find that acceptable if they did that in their own community, let alone in someone else's."The main area of concern is a two-to-five block radius south of the Oilers' home arena, according to Ian O'Donnell, executive director of the downtown business association. But no one has yet to be cited for public urination, noted the CBC.The Oilers are in Anaheim Wednesday for Game 7 of their second-round series against the Ducks. Though it's a road game, the club will be holding a watch party for a sold-out crowd at Rogers Place in Edmonton. If the Oilers pull out the win and extend their playoff drive into the third round, the city is going to have to re-evaluate how it handles the washroom-going needs of fans and citizens in the area, said Nicole Poirier, director of civic events and festivals.
Aside from dealing with the increased flow of people to the downtown area during the Oilers' first playoff appearance in 10 years, city officials and small business owners in the downtown core have been battling washroom and public urination issues since the postseason began. Less than a week ago, signs were posted with an arrow pointing directly to a pack of porta-potties in Michael Phair Park which read "LET'S 'GO' … in an appropriate place," as a lighthearted attempt to divert groups of public urinators.This about sums up just how crazy it's getting in Edmonton as the city continues to lose its collective minds, and bladders, over the surging Oilers.
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Aside from dealing with the increased flow of people to the downtown area during the Oilers' first playoff appearance in 10 years, city officials and small business owners in the downtown core have been battling washroom and public urination issues since the postseason began. Less than a week ago, signs were posted with an arrow pointing directly to a pack of porta-potties in Michael Phair Park which read "LET'S 'GO' … in an appropriate place," as a lighthearted attempt to divert groups of public urinators.This about sums up just how crazy it's getting in Edmonton as the city continues to lose its collective minds, and bladders, over the surging Oilers.