PortsToronto Operations and Maintenance Facility

LOCATION                     CLIENT                     SIZE                     STATUS

Toronto, ON                               PortsToronto                            19,925 sq.ft Completed

As part of the Don Mouth Revitalization and Portlands Flood Protection projects, PortsToronto engaged Cumulus to study its network of legacy facilities and develop a plan to combine program elements and improve operational efficiency. Our team evaluated site options to relocate existing maintenance and support facilities and chose a co-location with an underutilized maintenance depot adjacent to Cherry Beach. By taking advantage of the existing depot we were able to streamline the programming needs of the new facility and increase staff amenities.

Cumulus worked with user groups to understand how needs and roles have evolved over time, ensuring an amalgamated facility would be embraced by all. While regular preventative maintenance cycles and seasonal overhaul projects remain a fundamental part of the work, the department is increasingly called on to provide rapid response to urgent and unexpected issues across PortsToronto’s major marine sites. In addition to a home base for mobile work crews these facilities are the base of operations for teams that oversee the operations of all PortsToronto property and equipment, marine fleet, and infrastructure, providing inspection, repair, and maintenance services.

The main workshop looks out across the waterfront, catching dramatic skyline views. It is designed as a large flexible space with a full suite of capabilities including direct exterior access through a series of garage doors, in-floor power, drainage, overhead lifting cranes, and fume extraction. Fixed tools and machinery are grouped across the workshop with separate areas dedicated to a woodshop and electrical projects.

Our team re-organized labour divisions established within the existing facilities into logical groupings based on common activities and materials. The workshop is divided into metals, carpentry, and electrical shops, with centralized material storage. Workshops are configured to maximize the flexible space available for lay-down and assembly, with fixed machinery arranged to create complimentary adjacencies, contain fumes and noise, and enable lean maintenance processes. Each workshop has ample natural light to ensure a pleasant work environment for staff.