Commercial Mechanical Systems Tours

Date: March 24, 2026

Tour Times:
• 1:00 pm – 1:30 pm
• 1:30 pm – 2:00 pm

Please arrive 15 minutes early for check-in.

Meeting Location: Bottom of the stairs on the left, near the Waters of the World exhibit, immediately after entering the Aquarium.

Capacity: 15 participants per tour

Tour Overview

At the heart of one of Canada’s most complex aquatic environments, Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada operates advanced life support and facility systems that sustain thousands of marine animals and maintain world-class exhibit conditions. This behind-the-scenes tour offers an exclusive look at the sophisticated mechanical and water treatment infrastructure that keeps the aquarium running smoothly every day. Participants will explore the intricate life support systems responsible for filtering and recirculating more than 132 million litres of water daily. From high-capacity pumps and filtration equipment to water quality control and environmental monitoring systems, these operations are essential to both animal care and gallery performance. Led by the Aquarium’s Life Support Systems and Facilities leadership team, this tour provides insight into how mechanical systems, water treatment processes, and operational strategy work together to maintain stability, efficiency, and reliability in a uniquely demanding environment. Discover how precision engineering and real-time system management support one of Canada’s premier aquatic facilities — where performance is critical and downtime is not an option.

Date: March 25, 2026

Time: 10:00 am – 11:30 am

Please arrive 15 minutes early for check-in.

Meeting Location: Clock tower inside the main lobby

Capacity: 25 participants

Tour Overview

In pursuit of a zero-carbon future, Fairmont Royal York has completed the largest heritage hotel retrofit in North America, earning Zero Carbon Building – Performance Standard™ certification from the Canada Green Building Council. This landmark transformation reduces carbon emissions by more than 7,000 tonnes annually — the equivalent of removing 1,558 cars from the road. How did they do it? Cooling is now supplied through Toronto’s Deep Lake Water Cooling system, eliminating the need for traditional centrifugal chillers. Heating and domestic hot water are delivered through a state-of-the-art electric heat pump plant, with legacy steam systems fully decommissioned. Advanced energy management technologies further optimize performance, cutting 80% of direct operational emissions, with remaining emissions addressed through certified offsets. This tour offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at how one of Canada’s most iconic heritage buildings successfully transitioned to a low-carbon future — proving that even large legacy properties can lead the way in sustainable innovation.

Date: March 25, 2026

Time: 2:00 pm – 2:45 pm

Please arrive 15 minutes early for check-in.

Meeting Location: Glass pavilion on the southeast corner of King’s College Circle, just north of the Medical Sciences Building

Capacity: 25 participants

Tour Overview

Beneath the historic grounds of the University of Toronto’s St. George Campus lies Canada’s largest urban geoexchange system — a massive underground thermal battery reshaping how a dense downtown campus is heated and cooled. This landmark project demonstrates how large-scale geoexchange technology can be successfully integrated into a complex institutional environment without disrupting daily operations. By capturing and storing thermal energy below ground, the system significantly reduces reliance on conventional heating and cooling sources while advancing the university’s long-term decarbonization strategy. The project represents a major step forward in urban energy transition, proving that even space-constrained city campuses can deploy innovative, district-scale solutions. During this tour, participants will explore the geoexchange infrastructure, visit key mechanical spaces, and gain insight into system integration, campus electrification, and the revitalization of Front Campus — including enhancements to the university’s electric vehicle infrastructure.

Date: March 26, 2026

Time: 11:00 am – 11:45 am

Please arrive 15 minutes early for check-in.

Meeting Location: Exhibitor Registration, 600 Level, Metro Toronto Convention Centre – South Building

Capacity: 25 participants

PPE Requirements (Mandatory)

Participants must bring and wear:

• CSA-approved hard hat

• CSA-approved hi-vis vest

• CSA Grade 1 safety boots (green patch)

• Electric shock resistant (orange omega)

• Anti-slip soles

• Long-sleeve shirt and pants (no skirts or dresses)

• Hearing protection (provided onsite)

Tour Overview

In the heart of downtown Toronto, the Simcoe Street Cooling Plant serves as the central hub of the world’s largest deep lake water cooling system. Acting as the “polishing plant” for the network, this facility ensures water temperatures meet precise cooling requirements — especially during peak summer conditions when natural lake cooling alone cannot manage high humidity loads. The plant delivers up to 24,000 tons of mechanical cooling capacity through a combination of steam-driven centrifugal chillers and electric chillers. These systems provide critical redundancy, ensuring uninterrupted service even during disruptions to the city water supply. The facility is further supported by 11 MW of emergency steam generation, capable of supplying backup power to the plant and key pumping stations during grid emergencies. Beyond cooling production, the site houses the infrastructure that supports the entire distribution network. High-capacity primary and secondary pumps move up to 80,000 gallons per minute, overcoming system pressure demands reaching as far as Queen’s Park. Supporting systems — including water treatment, compressed air, and condensing water loops — maintain operational efficiency and long-term equipment reliability. During this tour, participants will gain insight into how operators strategically balance deep lake cooling with mechanical systems to deliver stable, efficient, and resilient cooling to Toronto’s downtown core year-round.