THE HARD FILES · AN OPTIONS BRIEF, NOT A PLAN

The Parks and Environment File

Parks, pools and the landfillThames Parkthe W12A expansion

This file is new, and its “what council controls” section is coming; for now it holds the parks and environment issues that used to sit on the ward pages, each with its sources.

Parks and pools

■ CITY DECIDES

Thames Park work and the Thames Pool decision

In July 2023 council voted 8 to 7 to close Thames Pool permanently. The motion also asked staff to add courts and review a splash pad in the area and to study an indoor pool nearby. According to the City's page, construction at Thames Park began in summer 2026 and runs into spring 2027. The design on that page has four pickleball courts, a nature-themed splash pad and playground, a shade structure and more than 30 new trees. The existing tennis courts and community gardens stay. The 2023 motion mentioned pickleball and basketball courts. The page lists pickleball courts only. It repeats the 2023 request for an indoor pool study but does not say what came of it. Staff reported on the indoor pool study in August 2025. Six City properties within 4 kilometres of Thames Park met its criteria. On August 26, 2025 council asked staff to consider Basil Grover Park, at 555 Wharncliffe Road South, for a future community centre with an indoor pool, based on the updated Parks and Recreation Master Plan.

The honest numbers ▾

Construction began in summer 2026 and is scheduled to run into spring 2027. The design has 4 pickleball courts and more than 30 new trees. Get Involved London, Thames Park ↗Municipal Council minutes, July 25, 2023 (item 8, 4.2) ↗Staff report on indoor pool site options, Community and Protective Services Committee agenda, August 11, 2025 (report 2.7) ↗Municipal Council minutes, August 26, 2025 (item 10) ↗

Ask your councillor

What should the updated Parks and Recreation Master Plan say about an indoor pool near the old Thames Pool, and would you support one at Basil Grover Park?

Ward 11

Waste and the landfill

□ SHARED: CITY + PROVINCE

W12A landfill: the approved expansion

The Province approved an expansion of the W12A landfill, at 3502 Manning Drive in Ward 14, on April 25, 2024. It adds about 13.8 million cubic metres of capacity, taking the total to 26.3 million. The City has a Community Enhancement and Mitigative Measures Program for the landfill's neighbours. Council updated the landfill's community program in 2025 and 2026. In November 2025 it capped the Community Mitigative Measures Fund at $1.5 million, 15 to 0, and approved an area enhancement fund and extra public property maintenance. In March 2026 it set aside up to $500,000 from the fund for a park at 3137 Scotland Drive. On June 23, 2026 it passed a new program by-law, A.-8731-185. On April 28, 2026 council approved, 12 to 0, expropriating land so the City can meet a condition of the Province's amended approval for the expanded landfill.

The honest numbers ▾

Existing approved capacity is 12.5 million cubic metres (ministry review). The expansion adds about 13.8 million, for 26.3 million (Ontario.ca). The City says it raises the maximum height of the existing waste footprint by 25 metres, within the existing fill area, 107 of the site's 142 hectares (ministry review), and extends the site's life to 2049 (the ministry review says 2048). The service area is the City of London plus the Counties of Huron, Perth, Elgin, Lambton and Middlesex. The City's planning figure is 0.5 million of 9.9 million tonnes from neighbouring municipalities, about 5%. Ontario.ca, W12A Landfill Expansion Project, with the ministry review and the City's W12A page ↗Ontario.ca, Ministry review of the W12A landfill expansion environmental assessment ↗Get Involved London, Why Waste Disposal (the City's W12A page) ↗Municipal Council minutes, November 4, 2025 (item 7) ↗Municipal Council minutes, March 31, 2026 (item 12) ↗Municipal Council minutes, April 28, 2026 (items 6.1 and 6.2) ↗Municipal Council minutes, June 23, 2026 (item 3 and by-law list) ↗

Ask your councillor

How should council check that the updated program does what it promises for the landfill's neighbours?

Ward 14

Issues in your ward

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