Construction Starts on $27M Watercourse in Toronto's Western Beaches

October 11, 2005, Toronto - The Honourable Joe Volpe, federal Minister for the Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Initiative, The Honourable David Caplan, provincial Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal and His Worship Toronto Mayor David Miller, today joined John Campbell, president and CEO of the Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Corporation and members of Toronto's water-sport community to officially launch the construction of a new 600-metre multi-sport watercourse in Toronto's Western Beaches.

"Today not only marks the start of construction of the Western Beaches Watercourse, but also the start of construction of the first large-scale improvement to Torontoís central waterfront. More will follow in short order," said Campbell.

The $27-million course will be located west of Ontario Place, fronting on Marilyn Bell Park. Improvements will also be made to Marilyn Bell Park, the Martin Goodman Trail, and to terrestrial and aquatic habitat. The Toronto Region and Conservation Authority is carrying out the project on behalf of TWRC.

The design and location of the watercourse allow for it to be extended in the future if funding becomes available.

"The construction of the Western Beaches Watercourse clearly demonstrates the Government of Canadaís commitment to provide the people of Toronto with outstanding waterfront parks and recreational facilities," said Minister Volpe. "This is a commitment that is shared by all three governments as we continue to invest in public spaces for Canada's international city."

"The McGuinty government sees this as part of our plan to strengthen Toronto by moving from planning to implementation to successfully develop the cityís waterfront," said Minister Caplan. "The construction of this premier watercourse facility will provide a legacy for sport, culture, tourism and sustainable development for years to come."

"This project is exciting both for the international events it will draw to Toronto, and for the improvements it will bring to our waterfront that all Torontonians can enjoy," said Mayor David Miller. "This is another example of the great work that can be done when three governments work together toward a common goal."

Constructing the course means building a break wall about 135 metres from shore. Depending on the waterline, the break wall will rise two and a half to three metres out of the water. Two-hundred and thirty-seven thousand tonnes of stone will be used to build the break wall with the stones ranging in weight from five kilograms to six tonnes. Eighty-five percent of the stones will be recycled stone and will include the concrete from the existing break wall.

Construction will be complete in June 2006, in time for Toronto to host the International Dragon Boat Federation Club Crew World Championships which will take place August 8 to 13, 2006. The championships will bring over 4500 athletes from more than 25 countries to Toronto. Winning the right to the host the championships was the catalyst for building the new watercourse.

As a permanent city-owned facility, the Western Beaches Watercourse will be used as a training site for a number of sports including dragon boating, rowing, canoeing, and kayaking as well as competitive events and festivals.

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Media contacts:

Stephen Heckbert, Director of Communications, Office of the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, (613) 954-1064

Wilson Lee, Senior Communications Advisor, Office of the Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal (416) 325-8735

Patchen Barss, Office of the Mayor, City of Toronto, (416) 338-7134

Kristin Jenkins, TWRC, (416) 214-1479