Municipal Snow Storage Facility Improvements

Project Details

Construction Timeline 

Anticipated Start Date: June 2026
Anticipated Completion Date: Winter 2027

Q&As

Why is the City completing this project?

The City is upgrading its Snow Storage Facility primarily to keep up with growing winter service demands, improve environmental protection, and meet modern service standards. The main reasons behind the project:

Increasing Winter Service Demands

Peterborough has a large and growing network to maintain.  As the city has expanded service levels over time (e.g. clearing sidewalks, bus stops, and downtown area), the amount of snow being collected and removed has increased significantly.  Bottom line: This creates a need for larger, more efficient storage and handling facility

Maintaining Accessibility and Safety

City policy and council decisions are emphasizing barrier free sidewalks and transit stops, accessible downtown, compliance with winter maintenance standards and public safety. Bottom line: a properly designed snow storage facility is critical for removing snow from high-priority areas, preventing build-up, and maintaining safe accessible infrastructure.

Environmental Protection and Regulatory Compliance

The snow being collected is not clean and can contain road salt, oil, heavy metals, and/or debris.  Bottom line: the upgraded facility will be designed to control and treat meltwater runoff, utilize a stormwater management pond to contain and manage contaminants, and minimize impacts on soil, groundwater, and nearby ecosystems.

Improving How Snow is Stored and Melted 

The upgraded facility will include an asphalt melt pad for stockpiling snow, controlled run-off system, and passive melting (natural melt) rather than fuel-intensive snow melters. Bottom line: the upgrades will reduce energy use, control the release of salt into the environment, and provides better long-term sustainability.

What is a bioswale?

A bioswale is a landscaped, shallow channel designed to manage and treat stormwater runoff using natural processes. 

Why they are important:

• Slows down runoff – reduces flooding and erosion by letting water move gradually
• Promote infiltration – allows water to soak into the ground and recharge groundwater
• Improve water quality – cleaner water eventually reaches rivers, and lakes

What is an engineered wetland?

An engineered wetland is a man-made system designed to mimic the natural processes of a wetland to treat and improve water quality, especially stormwater runoff. It typically includes shallow basins planted with aquatic vegetation that slow down water flow, allowing sediments to settle while plants and soils remove pollutants. Engineered wetlands are commonly used in urban and infrastructure projects to manage runoff in an environmentally sustainable way before releasing the treated water back into natural waterways.

Will trees be removed, and if so, why?

Trees are being removed as part of the Snow Storage Facility upgrade to address safety concerns and restore the long-term health of the woodlot. The managed forest plan identifies that many trees, particularly ash, are dead or severely declining due to emerald ash borer infestation creating hazardous conditions and limiting natural regeneration. As a result, the project includes removing unhealthy and unsafe trees, controlling invasive species, and preparing the site for reforestation with more resilient and diverse vegetation to improve environmental function and sustainability.

What is Emerald Ash Bore?

The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is an invasive beetle native to Asia that attacks and kills ash trees. The insect’s larvae burrow under the bark and feed on the tree’s inner layers, cutting off its ability to transport water and nutrients, which eventually causes the tree to die, often within a few years.

In areas like Peterborough, EAB has had a major impact, killing large numbers of ash trees and leaving them structurally weak or dead, which creates safety hazards and contributes to widespread forest decline.

How are birds and wildlife being protected?

Wildlife and birds are being protected throughout the project by following established environmental practices and the managed forest plan. Pre-construction bird sweeps are completed before any tree removal to ensure no active nests are disturbed, with any identified habitat features avoided or protected. In addition, healthy native, well‑established trees are identified and marked for retention, along with select cavity trees and habitat features where safe to do so, helping maintain shelter for birds, bats, and other species. These measures, combined with controlled work areas and planned reforestation, help minimize impacts and support long-term habitat restoration and biodiversity.

Will construction affect nearby residents?

The site is located within the Wastewater Treatment Facility property, which already limits public access, and most work will occur within this controlled area. While there may be temporary, short-term effects such as increased truck traffic, noise, and dust during active construction, these will be managed through standard mitigation measures and are not expected to be significant or long-lasting. Overall, the project is designed to improve long-term operations and environmental performance with limited disruption to surrounding communities.

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