Work finished on Surrey reservoir, including new mural

Metro Vancouver has finished work on the Fleetwood Reservoir in Surrey.

The reservoir, located at Meagan Anne MacDougall Park, also features a new mural by q̓ʷɑ:n̓ƛ̓ən̓ (Kwantlen First Nation) and Nɬeʔkepmx (Shackan First Nation) artist Elinor Atkins, celebrating the importance and power of water, conservation, and the sustainable paths being created for future generations.

“The Fleetwood Reservoir is a great example of how careful planning and thoughtful design — along with collaboration with our member municipalities, community partners, and local First Nations — can deliver necessary infrastructure on time and under budget,” said Mike Hurley, chair of Metro Vancouver’s Boards of Directors. “The incredible mural by Elinor Atkins and the improved park space have made this reservoir both functional and beautiful.”

In-system reservoirs are an important part of the regional drinking water delivery system, which serves three million people. Metro Vancouver collects and stores rainfall and snowmelt in three reservoirs located in the Capilano, Seymour, and Coquitlam water supply areas. The water goes through two treatment plants to ensure it meets rigorous drinking water quality standards, and then travels to these in-system reservoirs via Metro Vancouver’s network of water mains.

The Fleetwood Reservoir, which can hold 13.6 million litres of water, is connected to a new Metro Vancouver valve chamber and water main, as well as the City of Surrey’s Fleetwood Pump Station, which will send water through the municipal system to people’s taps. The project was completed for $60 million, approximately $1 million under the approved budget.

Adorning the reservoir maintenance building is a spectacular glass mural by Atkins, whose traditional name Miməwqθelət means “the first bird to sing in the morning.” Her work, characterized by vibrant colours and forms inspired by plants and wildlife, combines traditional Salish designs with contemporary elements.

“Creating this work at Meagan Anne MacDougall Park was a meaningful collaboration with q́ʷɑ:ńƛ̓əń and Metro Vancouver. I’m grateful to help weave culture and community into infrastructure that serves so many,” said Atkins.

In the centre of the design is a water droplet surrounded by two hands, honouring and thanking three mountains for providing water to the region. Within the mountains there are salmon, representing q̓ʷɑ:n̓ƛ̓ən̓, on whose traditional territory the Fleetwood Reservoir was built. Trigon figures represent past and future generations, while salmonberries represent growth and harvest. Atkins added cedar to purify the space for those viewing her art.

“It was important for us to make sure that this infrastructure fit seamlessly into the community while performing the critical task of storing drinking water for high-use times as the city and region grow,” said Brad West, chair of Metro Vancouver’s Water Committee.

As part of the project, Metro Vancouver restored Meagan Anne MacDougall Park for the local community. This includes planting twice as many trees as were removed, adding benches, and planting over 2,000 diverse shrubs, grasses, and groundcover plants. The new green area will provide year-round habitat for birds and butterflies. Cultural recognition and interpretive signage was installed to tell park users about the artist and artwork, as well as the drinking water system and conservation. The City of Surrey will also design and install a new playground.