The project includes the decommissioning of the underground reservoir and complete removal of its booster pumping station located at Sam Cancilla Park (157 Dunlop Street East).
The April 30, 2025, Infrastructure & Community Investment Committee meeting agenda included consideration of a motion to approve funding for this project. The meeting also included Open Delegations concerning the feasibility of establishing parkland from Mulcaster Street to the border of Sam Cancilla Park at the same time, including a legal review.
This matter was recommended to General Committee for consideration of adoption at its meeting to be held on May 7, 2025.
The reservoir and pumping station were removed from operation 20 years ago. This infrastructure is not required to be connected to the drinking water system in the future. Due to the structure’s age (built in the 1950’s) and physical location beneath a public park, a structural condition assessment of the site was carried out on April 9, 2024. The assessment was to understand associated risks present and focused on identifying structural deficiencies, testing the structural components, and conducting a desktop structural analysis to determine load capacity of the reservoir roof.
The pumping station is attached on the east side of the reservoir, with a portion constructed on top of it. Although a condition assessment and structural analyses were not completed on the pumping station, visual signs of deterioration are present.
Project Features
To ensure public safety at Sam Cancilla Park and allow for daily park operations to restart, including landscaping maintenance activities, the following is required:
- Partial demolition the reservoir roof system
- Filling of the empty reservoir with granular material
- Demolition and removal of the pumping station and its pipeline connections
- Decommissioning of the overflow pipe connected from the pumping station to Lake Simcoe
- Landscape improvements to the area