Construction of the lift station and rough in of the public washrooms was completed in November 2021. We are now moving forward with full installation of the public washrooms beginning in October 2023. Construction is scheduled to be completed in early 2024 and the washrooms will open by the spring 2024. Please refer to the updated FAQs for information on why the public washrooms are needed and how we addressed the concerns noted in the What We Did report (provided in the links section).

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Lift stations, a vital part of our sanitary system, are used throughout the City to lift wastewater/sewage from low-lying areas to higher areas where it can flow by gravity to one of our three wastewater treatment plants. The Lakeview Sanitary Lift Station was built in 1960 and was designed to the standards of that time. As the City of Calgary has grown over the past approximately 60 years the requirements for these lift stations have changed.

The existing Lakeview Sanitary Lift Station is located towards the North- East corner of North Glenmore Park. The replacement lift station will be constructed just south of the current lift station, with the old structure being removed and turned into green space. The replacement lift station will incorporate two public washrooms.

The current Lakeview Sanitary Lift Station will be replaced with a more resilient structure that will ensure Calgarians continue to receive a high level of sanitary service. We would like to get input from the residents on the final design of the replacement lift station – click on the links below to learn more about the replacement lift station and provide input on the design options being considered.

In 2011, the City retained an independent engineering consulting firm to evaluate 15 sanitary lift stations in Calgary. The evaluation considered the overall condition of the lift stations and their compliance with current City standards. The evaluation included a multidisciplinary review: architectural, building mechanical, process mechanical, electrical, instrumentation and controls, civil, structural, HSE (health, safety and environment) and HAZMAT (hazardous materials and items). This independent report recommended the Lakeview Sanitary Lift Station be completely replaced between 2017-2021. Key findings from the 2011 report and subsequent investigations on the Lakeview Sanitary Lift Station were:

• Capacity of lift station to be increased to meet peak flow conditions
• Numerous safety concerns including lack of gas detection equipment
• Replacement of HVAC system needed
• Spot repairs of sanitary forcemain from lift station are required

The new lift station will meet all present-day safety and building standards and codes. The capacity of the new lift station is higher than the existing lift station, to accommodate higher inflows during storm events.

Lakeview Sanitary Lift Station - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Public washrooms

1. Why were the washrooms not included as part of the original lift station construction?Although there was general support for the washrooms expressed during the public engagement process, concerns were subsequently raised by a few residents, the sitting Lakeview Community Association and former Ward councillor office. We deferred full installation of the washrooms to provide more time to address these concerns while allowing construction of the lift station to continue. The washrooms are now fully supported by the Lakeview Community Association and Councillor Penner for Ward 11.
2. What is the rationale for adding public washrooms to the lift station?
   North Glenmore Park is one of the city’s most popular and well-used parks all year-round. It draws Calgarians from across the city for picnicking, events and other recreational use. Adding washrooms to the new sanitary lift station would provide visitors in the east side of the park with convenient access to a public washroom.
3. Wouldn’t it make more sense to have washrooms located closer to recreational areas such as fire pits, picnic sites and parking lots?
   The east side of the park is enjoyed by cyclists and pedestrians using the regional pathway and trails adjacent to the lift station, those utilizing the area for on-leash dog walking, visitors to the adjacent pond and general park users. Currently, these park users need to travel 1.5 kilometers to reach the nearest public washroom.
4. Are public washrooms being added? Yes accessible public washrooms are being added. Construction is scheduled for completion in early 2024 and the washrooms will open by the spring of 2024.
5. Why did you decide not to add the washrooms during initial construction?
   Although there was general support for the washrooms expressed during the public engagement process, concerns were subsequently raised by a few residents, the sitting Lakeview Community Association and former Ward councillor office. We deferred full installation of the washrooms in order to provide more time to address these concerns while allowing construction of the lift station to continue.
6. Why are you now moving forward with adding the washrooms?
   We have seen increased all-season use of North Glenmore Park and adding these accessible public washrooms will increase the usability, accessibility and enjoyment for all Calgarians. We also feel that we have been able to further address concerns we had heard from interested parties and during engagement.
7. How did you address the concerns with adding the washrooms? We heard that security was a concern and we have taken several steps to ensure the public washrooms are safe for park goers and residents utilizing the following methods.

• We implemented recommendations from a Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design report issued by the Calgary Police Services in December 2019.
• A CCTV camera and lighting were installed on the exterior of the building where the washroom doors will be located.
• The washrooms will be locked from 11 p.m. – 6 a.m.
• Washrooms will be cleaned and monitored daily by City staff.
• Landscaping has been designed so trees and shrubs will not restrict visibility around the washrooms.
• A pedestrian crosswalk is being added to provide a safe connection between the regional pathway and the washrooms. The crosswalk is in a 30 km/hour zone with good visibility in both directions.
• We will monitor the situation and respond to issues if they arise.

8. Why didn't you wait to build the lift station until you had a decision on the washrooms? The replacement lift station allows us to meet the current operational and safety guidelines, and will provide increased pumping capacity, allowing us to continue to provide reliable wastewater service to the surrounding community.

Citizen input

1. How did you consult/inform the community about this project?
   We did a targeted mail drop for impacted residents and businesses in early August. This contained details around the project and an invitation to attend an open house held Sept. 4, 2019. We also collected feedback online, and via an information board at the site of the current lift station, between Aug. 27 and Sept. 19, 2019. Additionally we also engaged in conversations with the Lakeview Community Association to further discuss concerns arising during this engagement period.
   
2. I provided feedback. What are you doing with it?
   We analyzed all comments/concerns and questions collected via online engagement, in-person engagement and onsite information board. This feedback was summarized in the What We Heard report. The project team reviewed the report, and where appropriate, used it to make informed decisions about the project. The result of these decisions is available in the What We Did report. These reports are available at engage.calgary.ca/lakeview-lift-station.
   
3. How can I find out more?
   Go to engage.calgary.ca/lakeview-lift-station.

Sanitary Lift Station

1. What is a sanitary lift station?
   Calgary’s wastewater system is a gravity fed system – that means that sanitary flows are mostly driven by gravity to get wastewater to our treatment facilities. A sanitary lift station is essentially a pump that moves sanitary wastewater towards The City’s wastewater treatment facilities when gravity is not an option due to the elevation of an area.
2. Why are you building a new sanitary lift station?
   The current station was built in 1960 and designed to meet the standards of that time. As the city has grown, requirements for lift stations have changed. Replacing the sanitary lift station with a more resilient structure allows us to meet current safety and operational guidelines and continue to provide a high-level of sanitary service to the communities of Lakeview and North Glenmore Park.
3. Why is the new sanitary lift station bigger than the existing structure?
   The new lift station will have increased pumping capacity which means more space is needed for the equipment. Also, safety requirements have changed since 1960, and more space is now required for the safety of maintenance personnel.
4. Why is the lift station being built in a new location?
   Building in a new location allows the current lift station to remain operational while the new lift station is being built. This minimizes impacts to the communities serviced by the existing lift station and saves tax-payer dollars by eliminating the need to hire pump trucks to keep the sanitary flow moving during construction. The new lift station is being built just south of the existing lift station.
5. What will happen to the land the existing lift station is built on?
   Once the new lift station is built, the existing structure will be demolished, and the land will be returned to green space.
6. When will construction begin?
   Construction is expected to start in December 2020 and be completed within 12-18 months.
7. How much will the station cost?
   The total project cost is approximately $6 million. This includes construction and engineering costs.
8. How will residents be impacted by the construction?
   During the construction of the new sanitary lift station, residents can expect noise from equipment and higher than average traffic in the area. There will be some road, lane and pathway closures/detours needed.
9. The current lift station sometimes emits an odour. Will the new lift station address this?
   The new lift station will have an odour control unit to minimize any odour. This is not a feature of the current lift station.
10. Will trees be removed?
    Yes, trees will be removed for construction of the replacement sanitary lift station. This includes, but is not limited to, several old, declining poplar trees and numerous small seed-in poplar trees that will be removed within the construction boundary. Larger healthy poplars on the perimeter of the construction area have been identified and will be protected throughout the construction duration. Plans are in place to replant trees within the project construction area that are appropriate for the natural appearance of the site.

All feedback has been received and can be viewed by clicking What We Heard and What We Did reports listed. You can also view the FAQ tab for any further clarification on the overall project and process.