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We're installing a publicly available washroom facility in the uptown core!
Temporary Regina Street washroom
With all the events held in and around Waterloo public square throughout the year, people rely on publicly available washrooms. During certain hours, this includes washroom facilities at City Hall, but otherwise access is limited to those washrooms available in private businesses, such as the public washroom facilities in Waterloo Town Square. The need for a publicly available washroom in the uptown area, open to all uptown visitors, became even more apparent during the pandemic. The City of Waterloo installed a temporary public washroom facility in the Regina Street parking lot during the summer of 2021, and again in 2022. This facility, while helping to fill the gap, is not open year-round, and does not provide all the features we would like to see in an uptown public washroom.
In the interest of having a permanent public washroom location in uptown, we are installing a self-cleaning, fully autonomous public washroom facility (the Uptown LOO) at 148 King Street South (Heritage Green, at the corner of King and William streets). We needed to site this permanent unit where there is access to underground infrastructure for power, water and sanitary service. Construction at the Heritage Green location meant these services could be made available.
Location of Uptown Loo facility in Heritage Green
The proposed unit for the Uptown LOO is a clean, accessible, hygienic facility, protecting the health and safety of each visitor. Features may include:
Automated cleaning, drying and sanitization after each user
Touchless soap and towel paper dispenser and in-built trash can
Barrier free, with additional accessibility features (examples: baby change table, accessible entrance ramp, automatic door)
Drinking water fountain
Anti-graffiti and anti-vandalism features
Heating and cooling
A panic button to summon assistance in an emergency
Alarms that can be seen and heard in case of fire or other emergency
This first publicly accessible washroom is just a start. Our team will learn a lot from installing and operating this facility, and in the future we hope to add more publicly available LOO washroom facilities to the city. We'd like to hear from you, share your Comments with us, or take our short survey on publicly accessible washroom considerations (survey open through October 19).
We're installing a publicly available washroom facility in the uptown core!
Temporary Regina Street washroom
With all the events held in and around Waterloo public square throughout the year, people rely on publicly available washrooms. During certain hours, this includes washroom facilities at City Hall, but otherwise access is limited to those washrooms available in private businesses, such as the public washroom facilities in Waterloo Town Square. The need for a publicly available washroom in the uptown area, open to all uptown visitors, became even more apparent during the pandemic. The City of Waterloo installed a temporary public washroom facility in the Regina Street parking lot during the summer of 2021, and again in 2022. This facility, while helping to fill the gap, is not open year-round, and does not provide all the features we would like to see in an uptown public washroom.
In the interest of having a permanent public washroom location in uptown, we are installing a self-cleaning, fully autonomous public washroom facility (the Uptown LOO) at 148 King Street South (Heritage Green, at the corner of King and William streets). We needed to site this permanent unit where there is access to underground infrastructure for power, water and sanitary service. Construction at the Heritage Green location meant these services could be made available.
Location of Uptown Loo facility in Heritage Green
The proposed unit for the Uptown LOO is a clean, accessible, hygienic facility, protecting the health and safety of each visitor. Features may include:
Automated cleaning, drying and sanitization after each user
Touchless soap and towel paper dispenser and in-built trash can
Barrier free, with additional accessibility features (examples: baby change table, accessible entrance ramp, automatic door)
Drinking water fountain
Anti-graffiti and anti-vandalism features
Heating and cooling
A panic button to summon assistance in an emergency
Alarms that can be seen and heard in case of fire or other emergency
This first publicly accessible washroom is just a start. Our team will learn a lot from installing and operating this facility, and in the future we hope to add more publicly available LOO washroom facilities to the city. We'd like to hear from you, share your Comments with us, or take our short survey on publicly accessible washroom considerations (survey open through October 19).
Please share your comments and ideas with our project team here!
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This is a great idea, and something that is sorely needed in any city space in Canada tbqh and I'm proud to see Waterloo leading the way. I wonder about the sustainability of this unit? Where is the waste going, and how will it be dealt with / who will have to deal with it? Could the city try to source the materials as sustainably as possible, or install solar panels on the top to decrease reliance on the electric grid?
I don't want the perfect to get in the way of the good, though; this is a great idea and so necessary!
petra
about 2 years ago
I hate to be negative because I really feel this is a good idea for downtown patrons but how long will it take for this Loo to be destroyed. The "Gangs of Waterloo"...pathetic, will graffiti it up with gang signs they don't even know the meaning to. The homeless will make this into a home and eventually burn it down. Or it will be a heated hive for debauchery and drug use. Everyone will be scared to go in there. Hopefully I am wrong but I guess I have been around way too long and seen this type of thing happen all too often. We cant even keep a bus stop without the glass getting busted once a month. Good plan...if we lived amongst civilized individuals.
Dana Smith
about 2 years ago
- Ensure that there is a backup button to flush the toilets if the motion sensor doesn't work. It's pretty frustrating when you can't flush because the sensor didn't detect movement. - While the units may be fully automated, it would be a good idea for a cleaning crew to come in at least once a week. - Perhaps the outside walls could be used as advertising space for local businesses to offset the cost of maintaining the units? - Glazed windows to let in sunlight while maintaining privacy would be a nice touch.
Kaifee Haque
about 2 years ago
If it is not abused and it is clean, then it makes sense.
JoLogicCommonSense
about 2 years ago
Uptown "LOO" name makes a nasty and immature play of "Waterloo" meaning toilet. The location of this near the LCBO will (I believe) help foster an unsafe environment. The nearby Starbucks (which is open very early and late) has locked washrooms for a reason.
TaxPayingCitizen
about 2 years ago
Sounds like a great idea! When considering the facility it would be great to see some thought put towards children. Babies and parents are considered with the change table, but toddler aged children are often overlooked. Hard to reach the sink, loud and sudden autoflushing toilets and air driers can be scary. Something as simple as a stool can help them reach the sinks, and paper towels are much less scary and have the added benefit of being useful in opening the door again after washing your hands clean.
KBossie
about 2 years ago
Page last updated: 19 Oct 2022, 11:00 PM
Lifecycle
Planning and initiation - Summer 2022
Uptown LOO public washroom has finished this stage
Location of the washroom, type of unit and design development
Open for engagement - Fall 2022
Uptown LOO public washroom is currently at this stage
Project information available for feedback.
Construction - Winter 2023
this is an upcoming stage for Uptown LOO public washroom
Site servicing and washroom installation
Project completion - expected Spring 2023
this is an upcoming stage for Uptown LOO public washroom
Temporary Regina Street washroom
Location of Uptown Loo facility in Heritage Green
This is a great idea, and something that is sorely needed in any city space in Canada tbqh and I'm proud to see Waterloo leading the way. I wonder about the sustainability of this unit? Where is the waste going, and how will it be dealt with / who will have to deal with it? Could the city try to source the materials as sustainably as possible, or install solar panels on the top to decrease reliance on the electric grid?
I don't want the perfect to get in the way of the good, though; this is a great idea and so necessary!
I hate to be negative because I really feel this is a good idea for downtown patrons but how long will it take for this Loo to be destroyed. The "Gangs of Waterloo"...pathetic, will graffiti it up with gang signs they don't even know the meaning to. The homeless will make this into a home and eventually burn it down. Or it will be a heated hive for debauchery and drug use. Everyone will be scared to go in there. Hopefully I am wrong but I guess I have been around way too long and seen this type of thing happen all too often. We cant even keep a bus stop without the glass getting busted once a month. Good plan...if we lived amongst civilized individuals.
- Ensure that there is a backup button to flush the toilets if the motion sensor doesn't work. It's pretty frustrating when you can't flush because the sensor didn't detect movement.
- While the units may be fully automated, it would be a good idea for a cleaning crew to come in at least once a week.
- Perhaps the outside walls could be used as advertising space for local businesses to offset the cost of maintaining the units?
- Glazed windows to let in sunlight while maintaining privacy would be a nice touch.
If it is not abused and it is clean, then it makes sense.
Uptown "LOO" name makes a nasty and immature play of "Waterloo" meaning toilet.
The location of this near the LCBO will (I believe) help foster an unsafe environment. The nearby Starbucks (which is open very early and late) has locked washrooms for a reason.
Sounds like a great idea! When considering the facility it would be great to see some thought put towards children. Babies and parents are considered with the change table, but toddler aged children are often overlooked. Hard to reach the sink, loud and sudden autoflushing toilets and air driers can be scary. Something as simple as a stool can help them reach the sinks, and paper towels are much less scary and have the added benefit of being useful in opening the door again after washing your hands clean.