Kitchener to offer free pads and tampons in city facilities as part of pilot project

People who need a pad or tampon will be able to get one free in Kitchener-owned facilities like The Aud or a community centre as part of a new six-month pilot.

The menstrual products will be either in coin-free dispensers or set on stainless steel trays, the city said in a release Tuesday morning.

Washrooms that will be part of the pilot include ones locatedin The Aud, Chandler-Mowat Community Centre, Victoria Hills Community Centre, Breithaupt Centre, Lyle Hallman Pool, Activa Sportsplex, and Kitchener city hall.

Coun. Sarah Marsh said in the release that providing the products for free is "an issue of menstrual equiality" and provides products to people who need them without any barriers.

Infrastructure services general managerDenise McGoldrick said the cost of the pilot will be less than $5,000 and the city is working with partners to "negotiate a favourable rate" for the pads and tampons.

McGoldrick says the pilot will "give council the information needed to make informed, evidence-based decisions about the services we provide to Kitchener residents."

The move comes after Cambridge council voted against placing the products in city washrooms or running a pilot project.

But it also follows other groups who have gone ahead with offering free menstrual products, like Kitchener Public Library, Guelph Public Librarywith donations from a Tampon Tuesday fundraiser run by local business owner Holly Mastrogiacomo and the Waterloo Region District School Board.