Moose Jaw has started construction on a $73-million wastewater infrastructure project meant to replace a lift station that has been in service since 1961, reduce flood risks and support growth to a population of 45,000.
The city held a sod-turning ceremony on Oct. 2 near the existing Crescent View Lift Station at the east end of Manitoba Street East. Mayor James Murdock, Moose Jaw Wakamow MLA Megan Patterson and other city representatives attended the event. According to the city, the project is the largest infrastructure undertaking in Moose Jaw’s history.
The new Crescent View Headworks Facility will be built west of the current station, which has outlasted its 60-year expected service life. Construction is expected to run through 2029.
Role in the Wastewater System
The facility will act as the first stage in Moose Jaw’s wastewater treatment process, taking in wastewater from homes and businesses and removing debris, sand and grit before sending it on to the wastewater treatment plant. City officials say it will be constructed above the regional flood elevation to limit flood risk and is designed to reduce sewer backups and overflows during major storms.
Planned equipment includes high-efficiency pumps and motors, along with fine screening and grit removal systems intended to capture smaller debris and reduce wear on pumps. The site will also include a septage receiving station for waste from septic tanks, two bulk water truck fill stations, and two standby generators for backup power.
Bevan Harlton, the city’s director of operations, said the facility is being designed as a two-train system, with parallel sets of infrastructure built to serve the current population of 45,000 while allowing for future expansion to as many as 60,000 residents.
Funding and Timeline
Murdock said discussions about replacing the aging station had been underway for roughly five to seven years. The city engaged AECOM in August 2021 to carry out conceptual planning and design, and an assessment concluded that replacing the entire facility was the best option.
Moose Jaw will cover most of the $73-million budget for the 2026-to-2029 period. The project also includes $9.75 million in federal funding through the community stream of the Build Communities Strong Fund, formerly known as the Canada Community-Building Fund, administered by the province and allocated over five years starting in 2026.
On March 24, city council approved borrowing $30 million over a 15-year term to help finance construction. The city’s project timeline also notes that earlier applications to other infrastructure funding programs in 2023 and 2026 were unsuccessful.
Westridge Construction Ltd. was awarded the construction contract on July 16. The city says it will provide updates on project milestones through its website, app and social media channels as work continues.
Patterson said the project illustrates how municipal, provincial and federal governments can work together on infrastructure that supports growth. Murdock added that the facility is intended to ensure future generations inherit infrastructure that is safe, reliable and built to last.
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