Montreal public health announced that the opening of the Pierre‑Bédard sponge park has been postponed. The delay is attributed to bureaucratic hurdles and concerns that flood water could mix with sewer water.
The $16 million facility, located in the Mercier‑Hochelaga‑Maisonneuve borough, is the city’s only sponge park. It is connected to a combined sewer system designed to manage excess rainwater.
Officials indicated that the contamination risk and administrative complications are the reasons the scheduled opening on September 26, 2026, will not proceed as planned.