City Pedalling: Building T—Pumping Station

North of Toronto’s Lake Shore Blvd. E., a little west of Coxwell Ave., is a building I’ve always considered a fascinating landmark. This round structure is the blandly named Building T. Viewed from the south, it stands out, majestically in my view, on a field, looking something like a sci-fi version of a medieval keep.

↑ Building T can be reached using a bicycle path called Route 4 West (which parallels the Lower Don Recreation Trail). Route 4 West is on the north side of Lake Shore Blvd., south across the field from Building T.

↑ To the southeast of Building T is Beach Skateboard Park. I was there on a weekday, when there was only one skater. On weekends or after school hours, this park can be a busy place.

↑ I picked up a few burrs walking through the above area. It was a lovely late morning, about 10° C out, and not a cloud in the sky.

Formerly known as the Mid-Toronto Interceptor Pumping Station, Building T was designed in 1971 by Gore & Storrie Limited (now known as CH2M HILL), an engineering firm. (Another of their projects was Toronto’s famous R.C. Harris Water Treatment Plant, designed and constructed in tandem with H.G. Acres Limited between 1932 and 1941.)

↑ Building T is notable for its catenary arches. The exterior is made of concrete, stone, and aluminum.

↑ Building T was not the first pumping station on the site. That was Building M—or as it is called on the building itself, Main Drainage Pumping Station. Building M was constructed in 1911.

Buildings M and T service Ashbridges Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant. Construction on the plant began in 1908. At the time it was Toronto’s only municipal sewage treatment facility and remained so until 1926. Some of this facility’s buildings can be seen in the above view, looking south from near Building T.

Click here to see an excellent overhead drawing of the treatment plant and M and T buildings.

↑ Another view looking south. The Ashbridges Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant’s stack and water tower can be seen in the far distance between the west side of Building M (left) and Building T (right).