Archive – Community Updates
Posted: September 24
Beginning September 27, artist Mike Ormsby will begin work on a multi-panel mural on hoarding connected to the Spadina-Sussex Student Residence project. The hoarding, located near Robert Street and Sussex Avenue, separates residence-related construction staging activities from the newly-revitalized Robert Street Field Community Area.
Mike Ormsby was selected as part of call for submissions from Daniels HR Corporation, U of T’s partner in the Spadina-Sussex Residence project. Daniels HR Corporation is the same socially conscious developer that handled the redevelopment of Regent Park in partnership with Toronto Community Housing.
Mike Ormsby is of Anishinaabe heritage and is a multidisciplinary artist who seeks to share his culture and traditions through his art. The theme of the mural will be one of healing.
The project is anticipated to last five weeks.
Posted: August 27, 2021
Starting August 30 and continuing through to September 9, there will be some work undertaken to repair some piping below grade in the community area. Following this work, the community area will need to remain closed for a minimum period of four weeks to allow the planting material to become established. During this time construction crews will be on site to monitor the repair, attend to any outstanding construction deficiencies and overall site clean-up.
Further updates will be provided to the community regarding the removal of the temporary fencing around the community area and the playing field.
Posted: April 29, 2021
The Bell Canada connection work to activate the Code Blue Station is complete.
Within the community area, the final layer of rubberized surfacing in the playground area is tentatively scheduled to begin the week of May 17th. Planting bed work is tentatively scheduled to commence at the end of May 2021, following completion of the irrigation and grading work within the community area.
Sodding work in the playing field and community area is tentatively scheduled to begin the week of May 17th, as sod harvesting delivery dates are being finalized.
Posted: April 8, 2021
Starting the week of April 12th and over the following two weeks, benches and seating will be installed under the shade structures and within the larger community area. Within the playing field, work will resume to complete the installation of the irrigation piping with the expectation that this should be completed over the next two weeks.
As more consistent temperatures are reached in the spring season, more construction activity will begin to occur on the Robert Street Field jobsite. The University will continue to keep the community updated on these activities while we aim to complete this project.
Posted: March 31, 2021
Post-winter inspection and minor repairs are ongoing. Preparations are being made to complete the final phase of landscaping in the coming months. The University will continue to provide updates to the community as they become available.
Posted: February 24, 2021
The current weather conditions are presenting some challenges to the planned construction activities, and work is currently paused. We expect to complete the remaining work efficiently once warmer weather returns. The University will continue to keep the community updated on these activities.
Posted: January 21, 2021
Within the community area, the installation of the shade structures is complete. The irrigation system installation is ongoing. The bicycle racks, drinking fountain and code blue station have all been installed. Final grading for the berms and central lawn area has been delayed due to weather, but will resume in the spring.
Within the playing field, the installation of the irrigation system is ongoing. The installation of the perimeter fencing system is nearing completion with a few fence panels that will be installed in the winter months.
The current weather conditions are presenting some challenges with the planned construction activities and there will likely be modifications to the construction schedule as a result. The University will continue to keep the community updated on these activities.
Posted: December 7, 2020
The installation of the geoexchange system is now complete.
Within the community area, the installation of the playground equipment is complete. The irrigation system will be installed the week of December 7th. Final grading for the berms and central lawn area has been delayed due to weather, but will resume over the next two weeks.
The shade structures will be installed as weather permits over the next two months.
Within the playing field, the installation of the irrigation system is nearing completion. The installation of the perimeter fencing system is ongoing with the fence panel sections and gates to be installed over the next two weeks.
The current weather conditions are presenting some challenges with the planned construction activities and there will likely be modifications to the construction schedule as a result. The University will continue to keep the community updated on
these activities.
Posted: November 24, 2020
The University would like to provide an update on the type of sidewalk material that will be used within the community area. In order to ensure universal accessibility and maintain AODA standards, the sidewalk material within the community area will be a broom-finished concrete.
Posted: November 3, 2020
The testing for the geoexchange system is ongoing and will take a further two weeks to complete. Within the community area, the stone retaining wall is complete. The rough grading for the berms and sidewalk areas has been delayed due to weather and will occur over the next two weeks, followed by the pouring of the concrete walkways. Installation of the playground equipment is scheduled to begin on November 6th.
Within the playing field, the installation of the irrigation system is ongoing and will take two weeks to complete. This will be followed shortly after by the sodding of the playing field. Site services work is ongoing at the south end of the playing field and is scheduled for completion by November 13th. The installation of the perimeter fencing system is underway and will be completed by November 20th.
The current weather conditions are presenting some challenges to the planned construction activities and there will likely be modifications to the construction schedule as a result. The University will continue to keep the community updated on these activities.
Posted: October 19, 2020
The testing for the geoexchange system is ongoing and will take two additional weeks to complete.
Within the community area, the foundations for the light poles will be constructed during the week of October 19th. The installation of the stone retaining wall is underway and will be ongoing for the next two weeks. Rough grading for the berms and sidewalk areas will occur over the next two weeks, followed by the pouring of the concrete walkways.
Within the playing field, the topsoil is being imported to the site and will be levelled during the week of October 19th. Following the completion of the topsoil grading, the irrigation system will be trenched and installed within the field area during the week of October 26th. The staking out of the fence posts around the playing field is completed. The anticipated installation for the fence posts and foundations will begin the week of October 26th.
Posted: October 1, 2020
The installation of the geoexchange lateral piping is now complete, up to the termination point on the playing field. The geoexchange system will now be tested over the next two weeks and will be capped for final completion.
Within the community area, the shade structure foundations have been poured and backfilled. Beginning on Monday October 5th, below-grade electrical service lines will be installed for the community area lighting and emergency code blue station. Concurrent with the electrical work, drainage lines will also be installed within the community area and it is anticipated that this work will take two weeks to complete.
Within the playing field, the retaining wall is being installed on the western side of the property to ensure a level playing field surface upon completion. Alongside the retaining wall, drainage lines are being installed for the length of the field. This site servicing work is scheduled to be completed by October 23rd.
The landscaping work will be ongoing on the Robert Street Field property until the end of December.
Posted: September 3, 2020
The university would like to provide the following construction activity update on the Robert Street Field project.
Installation of the geoexchange horizontal piping is 50% complete and will continue until September 18th, 2020. As the piping is being installed, the playing field is being backfilled to cover the completed geoexchange horizontal piping. All of the geoexchange piping will terminate on the Robert Street field property. By September 30th, 2020 the geoexchange system will be fully installed and the work completed.
Over the next two weeks, the field will be backfilled to a preset level in order to commence the final landscaping and irrigation work on the Robert Street Field property.
The University anticipates that the landscaping work on the playing field and the community area will begin September 17th, 2020 and will continue until completion at the end of December 2020.
Posted: July 29, 2020
An unforeseen site condition at Robert Street Field required after hours work yesterday evening. While excavating trenches for the geoexchange lateral piping, a large pool of oil was found from the remnants of an old oil tank. To remove the oil quickly and mitigate any further environmental concerns, Aecon worked with Hydro-Vac equipment until approximately 11:30 p.m. During this time, the area was lit for the safety of the workers. No further evening work is planned. We apologize for any inconvenience to the community as we worked to resolve this issue.
Posted: July 10, 2020
Drilling activities for the installation of the vertical geoexchange system completed on Tuesday July 7th, 2020. The geoexchange driller is currently demobilizing and removing equipment from the Robert Street Field property.
Starting Monday, July 13th and extending over the next six weeks, excavation and backfilling activities will be occurring on the Robert Street Field property. This earthwork is required to prepare the field for the installation of the geoexchange horizontal piping runs. Construction noise will be generated by trucks and backhoes moving soil around and off the jobsite.
It is anticipated that installation of the geoexchange horizontal piping runs will begin July 27th and continue until the first week of September.
All construction activity will continue to adhere to the City of Toronto Noise By-law regulations.
Posted: June 22, 2020
Dear Neighbours,
We are pleased to update you on the progress of the construction at Robert Street Field at 60 Sussex Avenue.
Drilling for the installation of the vertical geoexhcange system is anticipated to be complete no later than Friday July 10, significantly earlier than expected. A professional engineering firm will continue to monitor vibration levels until drilling is completed to ensure compliance with City of Toronto bylaws.
We have heard concerns from some members of the community related to noise from the construction work. While all construction projects produce a certain level of noise, we are actively working to reduce the impact to our community. We are no longer running the generator after 7 p.m. and actively working to install sound attenuating barriers near the drilling equipment.
We have posted signage with contact information on site.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to complete this project as quickly as possible.
Posted: June 4, 2020
Dear Neighbours,
We are writing to provide the community with an update respecting the ongoing work taking place at the Robert Street Field at 60 Sussex Avenue as part of the University’s revitalization of this site and installation of a geoexchange system.
The University values its relationship with the community and takes the safety and comfort of its neighbours seriously. Please note that a professional engineering firm has routinely monitored vibration levels during construction activities at the Robert Street Field. This ensures that vibration levels are in accordance with the recommendations of the project’s vibration assessment report, which are consistent with City of Toronto bylaws and do not exceed predetermined limits.
While to date the results of this monitoring program have confirmed that vibration levels are below cautionary limits and are in compliance with City of Toronto bylaws, following local resident feedback, the University has taken steps to increase the frequency of monitoring of vibration levels during construction beyond the monitoring recommendations of the project’s vibration assessment report. We have now directed the consultant to institute full time vibration monitoring during all project working hours.
In accordance with Municipal Code Chapter 363, prohibited vibration levels are as follows:
Prohibited Construction Vibrations
Frequency of Vibration Peak Particle Velocity
(hertz) (mm/s)
Less than 4 8
4 to 10 15
More than 10 25
Cautionary vibration levels have been recommended by the University’s engineer as follows:
Cautionary Vibration Criteria
Structure Peak Particle Velocity
(mm/s)
Heritage/Designated Building 6
Residential Buildings 8
Commercial Buildings 12
City Structures, including Buried Services 8
It is estimated that drilling activity at the Robert Street Field will continue for an additional eight weeks, between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. During this phase of construction, a balance of approximately 100 boreholes will be drilled down to the specified design depth of 850 feet, and lateral piping will be installed starting at the beginning of July and completing at the end of August. Changes to these times will be updated on this same website. Should you have any questions or concerns respecting vibrations, please direct them to:
Sonia Groh
Email: sonia.groh@utoronto.ca
Questions for the City of Toronto Building Department may be directed to:
Dino Coletti
Manager (A) Inspections
95 The Esplanade
Toronto, Ontario M5E 2A2
Phone: 416-338-0861
Email: Dino.Coletti@toronto.ca
Posted: May 8, 2020
Following the recent provincial announcement, construction activities have once again resumed at Robert Street Field.
Demolition work has resumed for the WB MacMurray Field House Building. The removal of the building foundations, hard courts and skating rink area are to follow over the next two weeks. Following this, 5 weeks remain for demolition work at Robert Street Field.
Geoexchange drilling activities are scheduled to resume the week of May 25th, with full operations to commence by June 1st, 2020. Following this, 8 weeks remain for the geoexchange drilling work at Robert Street Field.
During the demolition process, noise will be generated by construction vehicles as well as noise associated with the breaking down of the building foundation. The building foundation removal will involve jackhammering to break up the concrete slabs.
During demolition, vibration monitoring equipment will be set up at the property boundary and monitored by an engineer, to ensure vibration levels follow city by-law criteria.
Dust control and dust suppression will also be undertaken by the contractor during demolition operations and monitored by an engineer.
All construction activity will adhere to the City of Toronto Noise By-law regulations.
Posted: March 27, 2020
The demolition of the WB MacMurray Field House building is scheduled to begin on Monday March 30th and will last for 6 days completing on Monday April 6th.
During the demolition process, there will be noise generated by construction vehicles as well as noise associated with the breaking down of the roof and wall structures. The building foundation removal will involve jackhammering to break up the concrete slabs.
Following the demolition of the WB MacMurray Field House Building, the outdoor rink surface and hard courts will be broken apart by backhoe equipment. Once the outdoor rink surface and hard court surfaces are removed, further site preparation work will be undertaken at the south portion of the site. This sequence of work will extend until Thursday April 23rd.
During demolition, vibration monitoring equipment will be set up at the property boundary and monitored by an engineer, to ensure vibration levels follow city by-law criteria.
Dust control and dust suppression will also be undertaken by the contractor during demolition operations and monitored by an engineer.
All construction activity will adhere to the City of Toronto Noise By-law regulations.
Posted: March 16, 2020
The demolition of the WB MacMurray Field House building is scheduled to begin on Wednesday March 18th and will last for 6 days completing on Wednesday March 25th.
During the demolition process, there will be noise generated by construction vehicles as well as noise associated with the breaking down of the roof and wall structures. The building foundation removal will involve jackhammering to break up the concrete slabs.
Following the demolition of the WB MacMurrary Field House Building, the outdoor rink surface and hard courts will be broken apart by backhoe equipment. Once the outdoor rink surface and hard court surfaces are removed, further site preparation work will be undertaken at the south portion of the site. This sequence of work will extend until Thursday April 16th.
During demolition, vibration monitoring equipment will be set up at the property boundary and monitored by an engineer, to ensure vibration levels follow city by-law criteria.
Dust control and dust suppression will also be undertaken by the contractor during demolition operations and monitored by an engineer.
Posted: March 4, 2020
As a follow up to the recent Community Information Session on the Robert Street Field/Community Area, please find below the links to the plans and an image of the project.
Upcoming Community Meeting:
*PLEASE NOTE: The community information session has been extended from 4:00 – 7:00 pm. Hope to see you there!*
Posted: February 26, 2020
- The University of Toronto will commence shortly with a key revitalization project at Robert Street Field. The goal of this revitalization project is provide a new Playing Field and Community Area within the Harbord Village Community.
- The project will also involve:
- The demolition of the existing field house building, outdoor rink and hard courts
- The installation of a 153 borehole geoexchange system, which will be buried five feet underneath the playing field
- The installation of a cistern and irrigation system for the Playing Field and Community Area
- The first stage of the revitalization project will begin with the installation of the geoexchange system and building demolition, which is expected to start at the beginning of March 2020.
- Installation of the civil works for irrigation and landscape improvements will follow in May 2020.
- The expected end date for the landscaping elements is the end of July 2020.
- Beginning March 2nd, two drilling rigs will commence the installation of the geoexchange system at Robert Street Field. There will be three more rigs, for a total of five drill rigs, shortly mobilizing to continue with drilling following the initial start date. The borehole drilling program is scheduled to run until the end of April 2020. The trenching construction for the geoexchange system will run until middle of May 2020.
- Beginning March 4th, building abatement and service disconnections will be undertaken for the field house building. This will be followed by the demolition of the building, outdoor rink and hard court areas. The expected end for the demolition program will be the end of April 2020. Further details regarding the demolition sequence will be provided in the coming weeks.
- Landscape construction updates will follow in a subsequent website posting and are anticipating to commence at the beginning of May 2020.