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The city of Albert Lea has proposed almost $11 million in improvements to recreation facilities in the community.

While we understand the reasons the improvements are needed at most of the locations — and recognize there is some federal funding available to knock the price down by $2.5 million — we still have some concerns about the proposal to add public restrooms on North Broadway near the splash pad.

As part of the committee that raised money to bring the splash pad to the community, the Tribune’s publisher and editor recall asking previously about putting a bathroom at the site when funds were being raised for the splash pad.

While there’s no doubt these bathrooms would be helpful to families using the splash pad and other events downtown, we were told adamantly at that time that the city would not support the bathrooms because city staff feared they would be vandalized.

We ask, what has changed in the last six or seven years since that discussion, and is there a plan in place to make sure these restrooms will not be abused and damaged? Would they be locked each night?

We think it’s fair to say that there has been an uptick in activity in the neighboring North Broadway parking lot the last few years, some of which has resulted in law enforcement being called in. We hope these restrooms would not become a target as so many others have been in the community.

According to city estimates, the restrooms are projected to cost $250,000 and would be placed where there is currently a red storage shed west of the splash pad.

The city posted on its Facebook page earlier this week that the building could be modeled after the Pioneer Park facility with restrooms on one end and enclosed storage instead of an open pavilion on the other end. Does the building need to be this large? We imagine it could save taxpayer money to reduce the size.

While it has long been a need for public restrooms downtown, we hope the city considers these points as it considers how to move forward.

In the meantime, we encourage people to check out the open house on Thursday about all of the projects from 4 to 6 p.m. at City Arena.