The City of Toronto last week announced more than $18.9 million for three infrastructure projects.
A downtown project, the Lower Simcoe Street underpass, will be updated to better withstand the impacts of flooding. Funding will go to design and construction of new stormwater infrastructure, including a pumping station and stormwater sewers. It will be designed to mitigate current and future impacts of climate change while meeting the increasing needs of the population and supporting economic growth.
“Mitigating the risk of flooding for residents, as well as climate resiliency, continues to be a key priority,” said Olivia Chow, Mayor of Toronto. “The Lower Simcoe Street underpass project will help mitigate the impacts of flooding in downtown Toronto by designing and constructing new stormwater infrastructure to help reduce flooding of the underpass.”
The federal government is providing $5.9 million for the flooding protection project.
Also, the West Park Long Term Care Centre will replace three air handling units. The upgrade will improve the reliability and quality of the ventilation system for staff, residents, and their families.
“Keeping seniors safe is vitally important in long-term care homes,” said Stan Cho, Ontario’s minister of long-term care. “The Ontario government is proud to support ventilation enhancement projects like the one at West Park Long-Term Care Centre, which improve air quality and help keep residents safe,”
The federal government is contributing $1.8 million in the West Park Long Term Care Centre project through the COVID-19 Resilience Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. The Ontario government is providing $448,591.
Funding will also go to the Boys and Girls’ Club (BGC) Toronto Kiwanis facility, for a building renewal that will also improve energy efficiencies and reducing the facility’s energy consumption by about 49 per cent and greenhouse gas emissions by 8.5 tonnes annually.
Upgrades will include improvements to the building envelope and mechanical and electrical systems. BGC Toronto Kiwanis is a non-profit organization that provides opportunities for thousands of kids and teens in the community.
The federal government is investing $1.5 million for the Toronto Kiwanis BCG Retrofit project through the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program (GICB).
