Owaka Going Forward chairwoman Aileen Clarke said the group had been trying to get new public toilets for the town for about eight years but there was often confusion when approaching the Clutha District Council.
What made the toilet block unique was the use of ceramic tiles painted and designed by pupils from Catlins Area School.
The toilets and the new artwork were unveiled at the official opening last Thursday at the Owaka Playground.
Catlins Area School head pupil Aimee Pullar (17) cut the ribbon with the youngest pupil, Austin Morrison (6), shortly after noon, to much applause.
Catlins Area School art teacher Glenda Landreth said the pupils put a lot of work into the 400mm x 200mm tiles as they researched different ideas to paint.
The pupils worked with photographer Janice Brockett to show
images of the Catlins.
Each of the two cubicles has a different theme or colour scheme ''linking'' the images on the walls with blue for the sea and brown for the land.
A spokesperson for the council said it was approached last year about new toilets and a $130,000 budget was approved.
Mrs Clarke said the toilet block was a catalyst for the creation of the promotions group Owaka Going Forward, and it was ''ironic'' the very thing the group started on became the last thing finished.
Clutha District Mayor Bryan Cadogan also spoke at the opening ceremony and joked ''only in Owaka'' would there be such a turnout for the opening of a toilet block.
He said there would be no ''potty humour'' and the toilets had to be opened sensibly.
