The Montreal public health department reported that administrative hold‑ups are preventing the Pierre‑Bédard sponge park from being fully opened. The $16 million project remains only partially accessible as of Saturday evening.
The park, which is the city’s only sponge park, is tied to a combined sewer system. Officials indicate that removing the park’s cap could allow flood water to mix with sewer water, creating contamination concerns.
Because of the delay, the park cannot operate at full capacity and the potential for water contamination remains while the cap stays in place.