Paradise forcemain project awaiting money

By Mark Squibb

The Town of Paradise will move ahead with the construction of two new forcemains along St. Thomas Line when funding becomes available, council has decided.

Back in November of 2025, the Town hired RV Andersen to the tune of $54,625, HST included, to evaluate alternatives to twinning the St. Thomas Line forcemain while coordinating road improvements.

The report, received by staff in June, recommended the design and construction of two new forcemains and new storm sewer systems and a road upgrade, including curb and gutter. The report only considers the approximately 1.75 kilometres of St. Thomas Line containing the forcemain.

The work is expected to cost some $12-14 million.

Council voted to adopt the report and will put the plan into action once funding becomes available.

“I like that we have this final report and we’ll have it ready to go when we have the funding options available,” said councillor Erin Furlong.

The study was necessitated by numerous system failures over the years, including a major malfunction in 2019.