The Webber Lane waterway, troubled by leaks since early 2021, is finally working following repairs that have taken over a year.
UBC Properties Trust, which was handling the repairs, announced on its website that “the work to address its major leaks is complete.” It said, however, that a water pump needs to be redesigned “to restore the water pressure in the Nobel Park and Mundell Park ponds.” There are also some minor maintenance issues, it added.
The repair process, initially reported in The Campus Resident in September 2023, has been plagued by delays. Some delays were due to supply chain issues and problems identifying the leak. Repairs were also delayed to avoid interfering with tadpole breeding season. As well, UBC Properties Trust hired a biologist to inspect the area to make sure wildlife habitat was not disturbed.
Management of the waterway is supposed to be transferred to the University Neighbourhoods Association once repairs are complete. According to Wegland Sit, the UNA operations manager, “the area has not been formally handed over back to the UNA management.” There is currently no timeline for the change.
The good news is that water is flowing, and it is considerably cleaner than it was in the summer.
It is expected that Mundell Park will be fully accessible for residents in the spring and summer. The lawn area that was closed due to damage done during the pond repair has now recovered.
With Pacific Tree Frog breeding season approaching, the waterway should again be a popular breeding ground for the frogs and their nightly chorus.
The UNA sustainability and operations team is working to replace the signage about the frogs in time for the breeding season.
ROBYN STARKEY IS A WESBROOK PLACE RESIDENT AND A MEMBER OF THE CAMPUS RESIDENT NEWSPAPER EDITORIAL COMMITTEE.