The Revolving Toilet Opens in Weert
Photos & Text by: Weert de Gekste
Self-Cleaning and Wheelchair Accessible
On Saturday morning, March 16th, the long-awaited first self-cleaning and wheelchair-friendly public restroom of Weert was opened. Councilor Lizbeth Steinbach and Peter van Akkerveken, member of the municipal council of Weert and co-initiator, together opened the restroomlocated in the De Muntpassage shopping center.
"With this public restroom, we aim to ensure that everyone can visit our beautiful center without stress." - Councilor Lizbeth Steinbach
Long-Awaited Wish
Next to the Albert Heijn, diagonally opposite the Gall & Gall, a retail space has been made available by the owner of De Muntpassage, which has been transformed into a restroom over the past few months. This fulfills a long-held desire of many residents of Weert.
Already by the end of 2021, several political parties submitted an amendment to allocate budget for the realization of a public wheelchair-friendly and self-cleaning restroom in the city center of Weert. A majority of the municipal council approved the amendment. However, further research was needed to determine the best location for the public wheelchair-friendly and self-cleaning restroom.
Mid-2023, the choice fell upon a vacant retail space in De Muntpassage: a central location that is easily accessible. Since this vacant retail space was made available by the owner of De Muntpassage, an agreement had to be drawn up. This was signed in January of this year, after which the work for the realization of the public restroom could commence.
Accessible and hospitable city
Last Saturday, it finally happened: at 11:00 am, the first public self-cleaning and wheelchair-friendly restroom of Weert was opened. Entirely in style, by tearing through a ribbon of toilet paper. Councilor Lizbeth Steinbach said, "Weert is an accessible and hospitable city where everyone can participate. With this public toilet, we aim to ensure that everyone can visit our beautiful center without stress."
How does it work?
There are two toilet bowls that are changed after each use. The used toilet bowl is cleaned and prepared for the next use at the back of the toilet. At the same time, the floor is automatically mopped and dried. This way, you can always use a clean restroom.
The toilet can be used during the opening hours of the Albert Heijn in the Muntpassage. Using the toilet costs 50 cents.
