Waterloo - The City of Waterloo is now using the shed in its William Street parking lot to house some of its inspection vehicles.

This move came after the Mennonite community – which had used the facility since the late 1980s as a shelter for horses when visiting uptown Waterloo – indicated it no longer needed the shed.

The shelter, consequently, had become heavily used by homeless people, who were smoking, consuming alcohol and sleeping there. This turned into a safety concern, with city staff being approached to donate change or made to feel uneasy.

The city had two options: remove the structure at a cost of $18,000 or install overhead doors and use it as a storage garage for building inspection vehicles at a cost of $11,000.

Keeping in mind that the city is no longer obligated to use this facility as a horse shelter, staff decided to convert it into a much needed garage. This is a far better use for the structure than demolishing it. As well, the safety concerns caused by homeless people dwelling there have been eliminated.

The city also is looking into the possibility of installing hitching posts in the William Street parking lot to accommodate those who travel to uptown Waterloo with horses.