Calgary toilets named finalists for 'Canada's Best Restroom' contest

A couple of Calgary loos have flushed away the competitionto be named finalists in a nationaltoilet contest.

The automated public toilets in the East Village and the washrooms at Sauce Italian Kitchen & Market have made this year'stop five list for Canada's Best Restroom.

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Also on the list the facilities in aluxury hotel in Montreal, an outdoor park in Winnipeg and an Essogasstation in Whitecourt, Alta.

"We base the selection on the cleanliness of the restroom, the visual appeal, innovation, the functionality and any unique design elements that they may have," said Jillian Bauer, marketing manager at Cintas Facility Services, the company behind the contest.

Cleanliness is key

The ladies restroom at the Calgary restaurant was selected for its beauty and style (heck, every stallhas a crystal chandelier and a "purse ledge") and the public lavatories in theEast Village werechosen for theirinnovation.

"A sanitized toilet seat emerges from the wall they also feature artwork displayed on the exterior walls, which changes every 24 months," said the company ina press release on Tuesday.

Ironicallytwo years agothe city had to scale back the operating hours of theEast Village toilets because people were using them to dodrugs inside.

Bauer said about 30 Canadianrestroomswere nominated for the contest and didnot have to be clients of Cintas in order to be considered.

The public is invited to vote for their favourite loo until Oct. 24.

The winning washroom will receive $2,500 worth of Cintas cleaning supplies and services, which Bauer said will benefit the business and anyone doing their business.

"Around 90 per of customers will not return to a business if the restroom is dirty."