Local politicians and waterfront users say the province's sewer plan to redevelop Ontario Place could make the popular stretch of waterfront a health hazard for beachgoers, rowers and swimmers.
Currently, the province's undisclosed plan is to change the combined sewer pipe that empties into Lake Ontario so that it empties directly into the West Channel instead of the existing breakwater.
The change will prevent future public beach pollution on the western side of the Ontario Place redevelopment, where sewage currently empties, the province said. But a group speaking out against the plan says the change will pollute the West Channel.
The redevelopment will allow Therme, a private Austrian firm, to build a large spa and waterfront on the land. Organizers of Tuesday's press conference opposing the redevelopment said the plans were held up in a private consultation with “select water user groups”.
'a bathtub'
Landscape architect Walter Kehm, who resigned from the redevelopment project in 2023 due to environmental concerns, told reporters that the plan would dump a small amount of wastewater into the nearshore runoff.
“We're building a bathtub,” he said. “So here we have a major public recreational waterway (and) one of Toronto's major beaches being polluted with sewage.”
Kehm was talking about Sunnyside Beach, which is actually west of the Channel. He and other speakers noted that other popular venues are also along the channel, including Marilyn Bell Park, The Boulevard Club and Argonaut Rowing Club.
Kehm called the plan a public health problem that e. It will create a breeding ground for coli, listeria and other waterborne diseases.
The province will not reduce the quality of drinking water
The province, which is working on redeveloping the city, says no part of the plan will degrade water quality in the area.
“The mitigation measures will improve environmental conditions beyond current levels for everyone, including other West Channel users such as rowers and dragon boat racers,” Ash Milton, a spokesman for the infrastructure minister, said in an email.
Long-term infrastructure work tied to the redevelopment is still under evaluation, Milton said.
But some water users are worried.
Ann Elizabeth Samson, co-chair of advocacy group Ontario Place for All, told reporters Tuesday that she spent many hours rowing and swimming in the Western Channel.
“The Ford government is determined to shove mega spas down our throats, like this huge mall, cutting off our access and making an even bigger mess of our lakefront,” she said.
MPs Chris Glover and Bhutila Karpoche also spoke at the press conference and said that the Ford government was not acting in the public interest. They asked the province to cancel the contract with Therme to redevelop Ontario Place.
