Beach goers no longer have to wait in line at the bathrooms to change for a day in the sun on Anna Maria Island.
The island now has bright changing cabanas.
“I think these changing huts are a great idea,” said resident Katie Martin.
There are currently five cabanas on the island, and beach goers have mixed opinions on the aqua huts.
“They free up the bathrooms a lot," said Martin. "I know in the bigger bathrooms with the changing area, it saves a lot of time for the moms with babies. Having to wait and people can just go in these changing rooms get their business done.”
“It’s a little small," said Jordan Pryor. "It would be good if they had showers in them.”
The cabanas have open spaces under and above the door. Warren Honaker fears that privacy will be an issue.
“You know it's open at the bottom and its accessible," said Honaker. "How are they going to be policed and by who?”
The huts have locks on the inside and an “in case of emergency sign,” on the outside with emergency phone numbers. Depending on how the public feels about the cabanas, Manatee County could put up as many as 30.
Kevin Comeau thinks they will be good for tourism and families.
“I think it's really helpful," said Comeau. "There are a lot of young parents who want to bring their kids to the beaches and I think it will help bring them out.”
As of now there are two changing cabanas open at Manatee Public Beach and three at Coquina Beach.