City Council Approves Above-Ground Option for New Main Sewage Pump Station

Brockville – Brockville City Council approved the above-ground option for the new main sewage pump station at Centeen Park at the regular city council meeting on Tuesday night.

Councilor Wales did put forward an amendment to the motion ‘that staff consult with members of the public, and consider public feedback in the esthetic design process for the pumping station project.’ which was passed.

Peter Raabe, city director of engineering and infrastructure’s initial report had already proposed a second public meeting, where options for the look of the new building would be presented to citizens for feedback. It did say that it was unclear for now when that consultation would happen.

Mayor Wren did read a letter from Kent Henderson, Chair of the Brockville Hydroplane races supporting option 1, the above-ground option saying in the letter, ““We acknowledge this project needs to happen and we will work with the city to the best we can.”

Councilor Earl once again reiterated that he believes council should consider another option of looking at moving the site to the east end of Centeen near the intersection of Ford Street and Water Street.

“I believe that we should consider moving that property to the east so that we don’t, right smack in the middle of this city asset that our citizens use for swimming and our tourists use for arriving in Brockville, that we put a sewage pumping station,” Earle said.

Peter Raabe also told council that the location further east was not included among the options because of its significantly higher cost and eliminated it early on in the process.

Despite his objections, Earl voted in favour of the above-ground option along with his colleagues. It was unanimous for the above-ground option.

Councillors Mike Kalivas, Louise Severson and Nathalie Lavergne were not in attendance.

With the approval, city staff will now return to the consulting firm, J.L. Richards, which will in turn have to hire an architectural design team.