Photo of the self-cleaning public washroom

After years of planning, preparation, and securing funding, the Municipality of Sioux Lookout opened the doors to its first self-cleaning public washroom in Centennial Park. This location was chosen because it is highly visible, had easy access to water, sewer, and electrical services, and if easily accessed by residents and tourists alike.

This is a unisex, family-friendly washroom that is accessible for persons with disabilities, requires minimal maintenance, and runs fully automated cleaning and disinfecting cycles on the toilet after each use and on the floors after every 10th use. It is designed to be vandal-proof on the inside and features anti-graffiti protection on the outside. 

Sioux Lookout's self-cleaning public washroom will be open from 6:30 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. daily.

To ensure availability for everyone, there is a 10 minute time limit per user. Occupants will hear a warning message after 8 minutes, and again with one minute remaining. There are sensors to detect people inside, and alerts will be sent out if an extended presence is detected.

A lot of people have questions about this new public washroom, and you will find answers to the common ones listed below.

Won’t this washroom just get vandalized or set on fire?

The washroom is designed to be flame and vandalism-resistant.

The interior is made from ultra high-performance fiber concrete that is not flammable.

The trash container is also self-contained, sealed, and designed to self-extinguish any flames.

The structure is made from galvanized steel with rock wool insulation, which also resist fire.

The exterior finish is covered with an anti-graffiti coating to make cleaning up "unsolicited artwork" faster and easier.

 

How will it be maintained? 

It is designed to be automatically self-cleaning.

This includes automatic toilet cleaning and disinfecting after each use.

The interior floor goes through an automatic cleaning cycle after ever 10th use.

This helps keep maintenance efficient and the facility sanitary.

Won’t it encourage loitering and cause issues for downtown businesses? 

The project was actually supported by the Chamber of Commerce to help keep our downtown clean and welcoming. Having a proper facility can reduce unsanitary acts in public spaces and improve the overall environment for businesses and visitors.

Who paid for this? 

This project was almost entirely funded by health and social agencies, which recognize this project as being socially responsible and serving a community need. These funders include the Kenora District Services Board, Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority, and Independent First Nations Alliance. A portion of the funding came from the Municipal Accommodation Tax, which is paid by tourists and visitors when they come here.

The Municipality only paid the installation costs, as part of our commitment to supporting the well-being of the community, in accordance with our Strategic Plan.