Whitecourt gas station bathroom voted among Canada’s best

Alberta has really nice public bathrooms, according to a new national contest. Three of the five finalists in the 2016 Canada’s Best Restroom Contest are in the western province.

The washrooms in Sauce Italian Kitchen & Market and East Village in Calgary and the Esso Super Station in Whitecourt have been voted among the finalists.

The Whitecourt Esso station’s high ranking is particularly surprising considering the negative stereotype surrounding gas station bathrooms.

The description on the contest website says the “decorative lighting mounted overhead immediately catches your eye in these restrooms along the Alaska Highway.”

The men’s restroom features brown monochrome design and decorative wall tiles, which gives it a “classy look” according to the site, and the counter tops are called a piece of art because of the combination of straight and curved edges.

Meanwhile, the women’s bathroom received praise for its white subway mosaic tiles, decorative sconces and carved mirrors.

W Montreal in Montreal and Assiniboine Park Lyric Theatre in Winnipeg are the other two finalists.

The polls to cast a vote close on Oct. 24. The winner will get $2,500 in washroom services.

READ MORE: Winnipeg bathroom vying for ‘best restroom’ title

Last year, there were three Alberta finalists as well in the Cintas Canada contest: the Renaissance Hotel at the Edmonton International Airport, Calgary’s Tommyfield Gastro Pub and the Bank and Baron Pub in Calgary. The 1000 Islands Duty Free Stop in Lansdowne, Ont. was the winner.

A Shell Super Station washroom in Valleyview, AB took the top prize in 2013.