Holy Crapper, Parks Canada!
The Most Expensive Outhouse

by Fida Wild

I almost missed it! Reading about the million-dollar super-privy that Parks Canada had built in the Lake Minnewanka visitor's area in the Banff National Park, I expected a popping visual design and state of the art building.

I couldn't find any information on the Parks Canada website, so it's pretty much hearsay and my own opinion what you read here. Apparently, it's a showpiece for alternative energy. I just hope that justifies the price of
CAD 1,8 million! The price for the land itself is not even included in that amount. It's land that belonged to Parks Canada in the first place.

Since it's paid by taxpayer's money, it really should be easier to find detailed information. Where did all that money go? Down the eco-pipes? Is it clogging the environmentally sound septic system?

Inside, I miss the marble floors. The photo prints along the wall don't make up for it. But I guess I miss the point, since they are there for eco-educational purpose. The plastic washbasins remind me of a cottage laundry room. The stalls are extremely small, but then again, you could argue that my butt is simply too big. When I turned to close the door, the water flushed automatically. So much for water preservation!

*© Lake Minnewanka*

Will the outhouse still function by the time it's green features pay off? According to a Calgary Herald report in 2008, it will take 576 years!

I must ask my friends Steeny and Paul. I am sure they know. They built their environmentally sustainable log home totally off the grid for less than CAD 200,000 around the same time, with enough power to heat their whole house and work with their electrical tools and computers in an area where winter is pretty much a year round affair.

I wonder where Parks Canada got their advice on how to build this eco-showpiece?

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It's a showpiece "When I turned to close the door, the water flushed automatically." Going by such "fittings," it does not seem to justify the price of CAD 1,8 million!...

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Holy Crapper, Parks Canada!The Most Expensive Outhouse

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Holy Crapper, Parks Canada!
The Most Expensive Outhouse

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