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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - There is more than one way to raise money for a good cause. Sometimes all it takes is relying on people's basic necessities.

At least, that's part of the purpose of the coin-operated washroom tucked inside the corner, behind the stairs near Roy's Audiotronic in Yk Centre.

The elusive washroom in the Yk Centre downtown costs a quarter to enter with all money raised going to charity. - Lauren McKeon/NNSL photo

In place since late winter, the 25-cent charge helps to ensure a safe and clean washroom environment - and to help out the SideDoor Youth Centre.

"We knew when we were getting (them) and what we were going to do with the money generated," said Heather MacKenzie, the administrative co-ordinator with Northern Property REIT, which owns the building. "We were going to donate to charity."

Northern Property chose SideDoor as the first beneficiary because it was keen on the programs the youth centre provides for youth in the community, she said.

"Donating was the best thing to do with the (money raised from) coin-lock doors."

And that sum is not paltry. In the first four months of making the switch to coin-lock doors Northern Property collected about $1,000 - all of which went to the youth centre.

That's roughly 4,000 people who answered the call in the charity-toilet.

Which perhaps speaks to a greater issue: where are all the public-use washrooms downtown?

"In order to put up public washrooms," said Brian Kelln, program manager for Yellowknife's community services, "we have to have land and there's not land available in the downtown."

Kelln added that community buildings do have public washrooms, although some, like the washroom located inside the library, require keys.

"It's just so (staff) have a little bit of control," he said. "They can check on people - check what they're doing in the room."

Security and safety is also a concern when it comes to installing outdoor public washrooms in the new park development near the Somba K'e Civic Centre.

However, those washrooms - which will double as an area to put on skates in the winter - are two to three years away, he added.

Until then, the public can also make a pit stop at the Multiplex - a location Kelln admitted is more off the beaten path for those walking downtown or on a trail - and the Ruth Inch Memorial Pool. And then, there's the option of holding it.

"The only time we really get requests for additional washrooms," Kelln said, "is when there's a special event happening in the park areas."