An innovative public washroom and community amenity.
CMLC partnered with Public City Architecture to bring permanent public washrooms to East Village with an innovative design that fulfills the need for social infrastructure that aligns with the vibrancy and character of the area.
Four universally accessible all gender bathroom stalls, a shared handwashing space, a pickleball court and a green roof.
CMLC initiated a public washroom design competition in 2022 to seek an innovative design concept. The jury selected PCA's design, which was chosen for its safe, efficient, imaginative, and architecturally unique approach. CMLC broke ground on the project in March 2024 and it opened to the public in January 2025.
The 3,000-square-foot facility features four universally accessible all gender bathroom stalls— one wheelchair accessible with grab bars — and a shared handwashing space, and a hand drying station, plus a fenced-in outdoor pickleball court. The facility also boasts a tiered spectator seating area and a living green roof with natural grasses.
Public City’s design was chosen through a national design competition for its imaginative, functional, and distinctive design. The design was recognized with an Award of Merit in the 2024 Canadian Architect Awards of Excellence.
Early in the design process, CMLC engaged with the Calgary Police Service and social outreach organizations to identify safety considerations, and worked with a local safety consultant to integrate Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles in the washroom’s design.
The washrooms and pickleball court will be open seven days a week, year-round and CMLC will manage maintenance, security and programming of the space.
Per best practice for public washrooms, CMLC will oversee a one-year washroom attendant pilot program in partnership with RadiCare Ventures, which will see two attendants on site to welcome guests and provide on-the-spot maintenance.
Crews broke ground on this innovative new public space in spring 2024 and the project opened to the public in the January 2025.
Design Reveal & Groundbreaking
March 2024
Opening
January 2025
Broke ground March 2024 – Opened January 2025
New 2025-2029 Strategic Plan outlines continued Rivers District investment and application of community-building expertise beyond the District’s boundaries in support of City’s housing strategy
“The Open” serves up functional, vibrant community amenity with universally accessible public washroom and downtown Calgary’s second pickleball court.
For CMLC and our communities, 2024 was a banner year for grand openings and groundbreakings, for development progress and programming activations. Our 18th year of master-planning, community revitalization, and major project delivery in downtown Calgary’s east end was one for the books, enabled by innovative partnerships, strategic investment and bold city-building ambition. Here’s just a taste of what we delivered together in 2024.
The new space will feature four universally accessible bathroom stalls, a shared handwashing space, and a pickleball court.
Bringing colour and culture to public spaces
