New public washroom and pickleball court opens in East Village

Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC), as steward of the East Village Master Plan, is thrilled to announce the grand opening of The Open, a new permanent washroom and adjoining pickleball court in downtown Calgary’s east end.

“As development in East Village progresses and we prepare to welcome hundreds more residents to the community in the coming years, CMLC remains committed delivering public amenities and placemaking activations that foster community and create vibrancy,” says Clare LePan, CMLC’s Vice President of Communications & Strategic Partnerships. “Strategically located at the intersection of 7 Avenue and 6 Street S.E., The Open sits adjacent to East Village’s off-leash dog park, playground, and community garden, and is a short distance from Jack & Jean Leslie RiverWalk, serving the 4,000 residents of the community as well as the 80,000 visitors who frequent the community’s diverse retail offerings, dynamic programming and public spaces every year.”

The Open was brought to life through a national design competition that attracted 11 submissions from across Canada. The design by Winnipeg-based Public City was chosen for its imaginative, functional, and distinctive design. Construction of the facility was managed by Delnor Construction.

The 3,000-square-foot building features four universally accessible all gender bathroom stalls—one wheelchair accessible with grab bars – and a shared handwashing space. The adjoining pickleball court features a living green roof of natural grasses and a tiered spectator seating area.

The new amenity is called The Open, a name that plays on pickleball’s tournament-style events and that invites all to come in and get their game on. Public City’s competition-winning design for the facility inspired The Open’s brand colours – bright teal and yellow with a pop of purple – making the space as vibrant as the neighbourhood it serves.

“CMLC’s ongoing transformation of East Village into one of Calgary’s most dynamic and inviting urban neighbourhoods shines through in projects like The Open,” says Councillor Terry Wong. “This thoughtfully designed space exemplifies how vibrant projects can transform the well-being of those who live, work, and visit the area, creating an inclusive atmosphere that enhances quality of life for residents and warmly welcomes the thousands of visitors who come to enjoy everything East Village has to offer every year.”

The new permanent washrooms will replace the washrooms that were installed along RiverWalk in 2012, which served the community for nearly a decade but faced increasing maintenance costs and social pressures. CMLC closed them in 2022 to seek a safer and more functional alternative, and temporary washroom facilities have been in operation since. The old public washrooms on RiverWalk are anticipated to be removed in 2025.

CMLC collaborated with the Calgary Police Service, social outreach organizations, and safety experts to integrate Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles in the facility’s design, which includes clear sightlines facilitated by glass walls on the washroom’s exterior and mesh sports court fencing, all well-lit inside and out.

The public washrooms are also aligned with recommendations from the Downtown Safety Leadership Table, of which CMLC was a member, which called for improved public washroom access in downtown Calgary.

CMLC will oversee the maintenance and security of The Open, which will be open year-round, seven days per week from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. The pickleball court will welcome players and observers from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM, and will be activated the East Village Neighbourhood Association’s pickleball club starting this spring. Hours will adjust seasonally, and CMLC will monitor the usage requirements of the washrooms and adjust hours accordingly.

Best practice indicates that the presence of washroom attendants significantly improves cleanliness, enhances the sense of safety, and helps deter unwanted behavior at public washroom facilities. The attendants also serve as hosts, welcoming guests and providing on-the-spot maintenance to ensure the facility remains clean and well-maintained. CMLC will oversee a dedicated washroom attendant program for a one-year pilot program at The Open, which will see two attendants on site together during the facility’s opening hours. Through a competitive RFP process, RadiCare Ventures, a local company with experience in Calgary’s inner city, was selected as The Open’s washroom attendant provider for their strong community engagement approach and extensive experience working with vulnerable populations.

“RadiCare is pleased to be the provider of choice for the public washroom attendant pilot program at The Open in East Village,” said Bill Zheng, Co-Founder of RadiCare Ventures. “RadiCare employees selected for this project were thoughtfully chosen for lived experiences with systemic vulnerabilities, dedication to community service, strong communication skills, and the ability to create a welcoming atmosphere for everyone. Each staff member has completed an extensive training program that includes custodian duties, washroom checks, de-escalation techniques, and knowledge of local resources. This comprehensive training ensures that RadiCare’s team has the confidence and expertise to support vulnerable populations with dignity and respect while ensuring the safety of the general public.”

CMLC invites Calgarians to explore The Open at a community event on January 10, from 2 to 6 PM. For more information, visit evexperience.com/event-calendar.