Calgary Municipal Land Corporation

East Village Public Washroom and Pickleball Court

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.

Overview

Four universally accessible 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 awarded PCA for their design, which was chosen for its safe, efficient, imaginative, and architecturally unique approach.

The 3,000-square-foot facility features four universally accessible bathroom stalls—one wheelchair accessible with grab bars, 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.

Location

Key Takeaways

  • 1

    Architect selected through design competition

    A public washroom design competition was initiated in August 2022. Following a Request for Qualifications, 11 submissions were received from design teams across Canada which were reviewed by a jury of architects, designers, and community advocates.

  • 2

    A space that prioritizes safety and inclusivity

    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.

  • 3

    Open seven days a week, year-round

    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.

  • 4

    Aligned with recommendations from the Downtown Safety Leadership Table

    In early 2024, CMLC was involved in the Downtown Safety Leadership Table which highlighted the need for improved access to washrooms in downtown Calgary.

Timeline

Crews broke ground on this innovative new public space in spring 2024 and the project will be under construction until it opens to the public in the January 2025. To follow along with construction progress, subscribe to our newsletter.

Design Reveal & Groundbreaking

March 2024

Opening

January 2025

Construction

District

Dates

Broke ground March 2024

Project Team2

  • Public City Architecture
    Public City Architecture
    Prime Design Consultant
  • Delnor Construction Managers
    Delnor Construction Managers
    General Contractor

Articles1