A Vancouver washroom is in the running for the "best restroom" in the country.
The finalists for the 2023 Canada’s Best Restroom contest, from uniform company Cintas Canada, feature innovative, immaculate, and aesthetically appealing washrooms.
The annual contest highlights businesses creating and maintaining "exceptional" washrooms as judged on five criteria: cleanliness, visual appeal, innovation, functionality, and unique design elements.
The public is invited to weigh in on their favourites and may vote as many times as they wish until July 7. The winner will receive "$2,500 in facility services from Cintas to help maintain their award-winning washrooms," explains a press release.
Located in an inclusive community centre, The Gathering Place Washrooms serve the city's diverse population including "people who are unhoused, individuals who are marginalized, seniors, newcomers, and the LGBTQ+ community."
With support from the city, the architects renovated the Gathering Place’s existing washrooms to create universally accessible, durable, and unexpectedly stylish spaces for folks that might not otherwise have access to inviting and fun public washrooms.
"One of the washrooms features a custom-built footbath with a bench for quick cleaning, while fully accessible showers are also provided. Access to clean, safe, accessible washrooms is a human right; making them charming and chic in the process is just a great idea," writes Cintas.
The designers also made the facilities "easy to maintain, keep clean and safe to use."
Best bathrooms across Canada
Another Metro Vancouver restroom, the Hard Bean Brunch Co.'s bathroom, features individual, gender-neutral stalls that are framed in bright, yellow trim with matching signature yellow doors in this popular brunch spot.
The lovely loos are also "painted navy blue with sleek, black or white tile sits below fun palm leaf wallpaper with a pink and navy theme" and have a full sink.
The five finalists include:
- Forest Pavilion Washrooms (Winnipeg, Manitoba)
- Hard Bean Brunch Co. (Port Moody, B.C.)
- The Gathering Place Washrooms (Vancouver, B.C.)
- Yesterday’s Auto Gallery (Edmonton, Alberta)
- The Big Apple (Colborne, Ontario)
Have a look at some Vancouver inclusions from previous years of the contest.
