New smart washroom the talk of Grand Bend
It’s not every day that a new washroom becomes the talk of the town.
But in the Lake Huron tourist community of Grand Bend, a new so-called 'smart washroom' has many residents and business owners flush with joy.
At Perfect Image Tattoo and Body Piercing, Manager Mike Delorme said he tries to be welcoming to everyone — but it can be a bit much when walk-ins do their business in his business.
“It becomes a little hectic,” explained Delorme. “You get a lot of people coming in with the beach, the water, the sand. It’s very messy as well too. It keeps us, every two hours we’re in there cleaning the washrooms for a lot of customers that aren’t even our customers,” he said.
Delorme is applauding the addition of a new pre-fab, year-round, 24/7 free public washroom being installed at the end of Main Street West.
Resident Scott Kelley agrees it’s long overdue.
“I think it’ll help. Tourism and people here all the time. Come down, walk your dog, bring your kids to the little park here and there you go,” said Kelley.
The new washroom is located right on the beach and just steps away from the strip. It is described as both self-cleaning and vandal-proof, with a bowl and change table that can hold the full weight of a person.
New smart washroom facility being installed in Grand Bend. April 17, 2024. (Bryan Bicknell/CTV News London)The washroom is built by restroom manufacturer Urben Blu.
Project manager Cedric Perron says smart facilities are becoming popular with municipalities.
“It’s automated and self-cleaning, so you have a cycle for washing the floor and washing the bowl every 10 users. It’s something that you can program on your phone or your computer from home. You can put it at 20 users, 30 users, as you want,” explained Perron.
It may seem wasteful to some that the new washroom is just steps away from the main beach house washrooms, however, those facilities are not winterized, closed in the off-season and have limited hours in summer.
The new smart restroom is the first of its kind in Lambton County.
Lambton Shores mayor Doug Cook said it comes with a price tag of about a $500,000, which includes installation.
“Our north beach, which doesn’t have enough coverage in the summertime. Plus, the amount of people we get here on a regular basis. Grand Bend is a very busy tourism place. And we’re taking our monies that we do earn from tourism and putting back into development,” said Cook.
The new public washroom is expected to open in early May.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.