
Sturgeon Heights Reservoir Replacement and Decommissioning
Project Description
The Sturgeon Heights Reservoir and Pump Station, located at 37 Sunset Boulevard, is the main St. Albert reservoir which receives water from the City of Edmonton supply line and works with the two other structures in the community to distribute potable water to St. Albert residents, schools, and businesses.
As the oldest structure of its kind in St. Albert, it can no longer be upgraded and must be rebuilt to ensure the long-term reliable and safe distribution of potable water for the community.
To ensure water services in the city are not disrupted, the current reservoir and pump station will remain operational while a new reservoir and pump station is being built. This means the new structure must be located within Salisbury Park to utilize the current underground infrastructure, as well as to maintain water pressure and meet demand requirements.
Required Work
Work that will be completed includes:
- Construction of the new reservoir tank and pump station. The site will be blocked-off for the duration of construction.
- Construction of additional pipes to connect the new facility to the existing system.
- Demolition of the existing site.
- Restore the existing site into a new open space with trees, landscaping and a gathering area with seating.
Park Impacts and Access
Starting in early October, the construction fence will be extended along Salisbury Avenue to encompass the ice rink structure to allow for installation of puck protection fencing, realignment of the trail network and landscaping. This will result in the trail and ice rink closure until mid-summer 2025. Please visit Outdoor Skating & Ice Conditions for a list of neighbouring outdoor skating and ice rinks for your use.
Fencing will be placed around the ice rink and trail area while the work is being completed. There may be a temporary fence added along your private fence line if you have gate access to the park. Equipment will be on-site for excavation and material installation. You may notice construction noise and dust during construction hours.
Hebert Road and Arcand Drive Construction
Starting mid-October, the construction team will begin to install watermain pipe in an existing utility corridor. This watermain will be used as the main fill line for the new reservoir located at 53 Salisbury Avenue. To complete this work, Hebert Road will have some lanes closed to ensure the work is done safely (outlined in black in the image below). A similar excavation will be required to install pipe connections and to remove the building located at the end of the pathway heading south from Arcand Drive (outlined in green in the image below).
The work is anticipated to take place until December. The construction team is installing the pipe through an existing utility corridor and underground infrastructure to reduce construction costs, and to avoid digging a new trench and disturbing roads, sidewalks and buildings in the area.
There will be lane closures on Hebert Road from Arlington Drive to Sunset Boulevard. The trail from Arcand Drive will be closed for the duration of the installation, approximately 6 to 8 weeks. Restoration of the trail and removal of the building will be completed in 2025.
Timeline
Completed Work
- January - March 2023: Mobilized to site, fence installation and started construction activities including stripping topsoil, excavation, stock piling dirt and haulting unusable material.
- April - June 2023: Tree removal, began concrete installation for project and sanitary line and storm sewer tie-in on Salisbury Ave.
- July - September 2023: Manhole installation beside Charter Place, started backfill for Pumphouse and 50% of concrete poured for the whole project.
- October - December 2023: Backfill Reservoir and Pumphouse, utility installation, began Pumphouse construction.
- January - March 2024: Concrete top of Reservoir complete, start of walls and paneling for Pumphouse, generator installed.
- April - June 2024: Completion of reservoir and enclosure of pumphouse, grading of the reservoir and pumphouse area.
- July - September 2024: Underground utility installation to Sunset Boulevard, completion of landscaping work adjacent to Salisbury Avenue (up to ball diamond and outdoor rink), commissioning of new Reservoir and Pumphouse.
UPCOMING WORK
Fall 2024/Winter 2025
- Underground utility installation to Akinsdale Meter Chamber and new EPCOR connection
- Removal of Akinsdale Meter Chamber and building
- Restoration of trail new Arcand Drive and Akinsdale Meter Chamber work
- Decommissioning and demolition of old Reservoir and Pumphouse
- Installation of storm piping for new park space
- Backfilling of old reservoir and pumphouse
- Landscaping of new park space (Spring 2025)
Conceptual Renderings
Conceptual renderings of the final site restoration:
Note: renderings shown below are not considered final designs and may change.
Interactive Map
Check out the City’s interactive Construction Projects Map that outlines the construction projects planned for this year!
Last edited: October 7, 2024