Service dogs visiting Calgary City Hall now have a place to go literally

A new public amenity is now available at City Hall and it's really for the dogs.

The city has built a $36,000 relief area for service dogs close to the front doors of the municipal building, just north of the lion statue.

City council passed a motion in September 2016 to ensure that the municipal complex is made more accessible to Calgarians, and that includes people who have service dogs.

Coun. Druh Farrell who championed the idea on council two years ago says civic buildings need to be welcoming for all Calgarians, whether they work there or are just visiting.

"We have people come down with service animals and they need a place to go to the bathroom, so this is a little relieving area for service animals, probably mostly dogs," she said. "It's easily accessible, it's wheelchair accessible and it's right outside the doors."

Farrell said the area will be cleaned regularly by city staff.

Staff are ensuring the area meets access designstandards which callfor service dog relief areas to be within 50 metres of an unobstructed entrance and at least 7.4 square metres in size then signage will be installed.

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