Whyte Avenue Public Toilets

I think it is hilarious that people are reviewing these toilets! OK, here’s my two cents. When these toilets first opened, I noticed that I could see inside every stall from the road, and assumed that they were some kind of weird art project. After I learned that they were indeed just regular toilets, I was quite thrilled — they are located in a nice spot on Whyte avenue, and I no longer have to buy something from an expensive coffee shop or book store to relieve myself! They have saved me in many urgent situations. The only down side is that sometimes the toilets are very dirty or not working properly, but for the most part it is a nice facility and I’m glad it exists.

I was actually the first to review this outhouse on the weekend it opened, but my review was taken down. However, Paul’s review is very thorough and I would only add one thing.
The doors on the ladies stalls don’t come down far enough to properly cover you when you are seated on the throne. I realize due to security, the patrons need to be visible at all times. I can pretty much see your undies when I’m walking or driving by. If you are going to use the toilet, wear pretty underwear at least.

I wonder if this is the first Unilocal review of a public toilet building? Perhaps I am making Unilocal history here!
The Whyte Avenue Public Washrooms were built in 2012 at a public cost of $ 536,000 to address concerns of inebriated bar patrons using public and private property to relieve themselves after leaving the bars. They initially were open 24 hrs/​day but the hours have been scaled back a bit so they are now closed a few hours after the bars let out. They have been designed intentionally to have glass walls so that you can see into them which provides users with a sense of safety and also discourages any negative activity from going on inside. They also are only heated to +5C in winter and have no summer air conditioning to discourage people from loitering inside. Besides serving the after bar crowd the majority of users are the daytime shoppers and passer-​bys.
The public perception of the washrooms varies. Some people love them and some hate them. I’m sure the residents that live in and around the area like them especially if they are seeing less public urination around their homes and properties.
Here is one article on the washrooms:
Also, a local documentary film maker did a short film called iCup (get it…“I See You Pee) regarding the washrooms for an Air Canada En Route magazine film contest. Not sure how he did in the contest or if it is available online to view any longer.
Personally I think having these public washrooms available is a good thing. I’m not a late-​night bar patron on Whyte Ave much these days so my chance of using these in the nighttime is probably slim to none. I have stopped in during the day to use them once and felt fine using it. Facilities like these are more popular in Europe but I think we may see more of these cropping up in Canada.
I think that Edmonton has probably been used as a testing ground on how to design one of these to operate in –30 to –40C temperatures. It will be interesting to see these become more popular in Canadian urban centres.