An old tunnel discovered in Stony Plain, Alta. during downtown construction work has residents looking back into the past to solve the mystery of how it got there and what it might have been used for.
“We don’t know exactly what happened,” said Stony Plain Mayor William Choy.
The tunnel was discovered as crews were finishing up a full replacement of infrastructure including water, sanitary and storm pipes as part of a major rehabilitation of the city’s downtown.
Choy said the tunnel, which has now been filled in, led to a historic bank building constructed in 1918. It’s currently being renovated by a new owner who gave the city access. Choy said when the building’s walls on the other side of the tunnel were torn away they revealed evidence that the concrete had been breached and then repaired.
“People are going into the archives and seeing what was written down,” said Choy, but added that some of the city’s longtime residents suspect a bank heist could have been kept quiet on purpose.
“It may have been hushed,” said Choy. “In those days if you announced that, it could have caused people to have less confidence in the bank and put a target on your back. We definitely have a mystery. It’s getting people talking and everyone has their own ideas.”
Choy also speculated that it could have been an inside job because at that time dirt could easily have hidden the breach inside as a hole was slowly dug out.
Ahmed Elsayed, an engineering technologist with the town, said the tunnel was roughly two metres deep, 1.5 metres wide and a half metre tall.
“Maybe it was erosion, a sanitation blowout, maybe water somehow got in there. It could have been hand dug, it could have been anything,” said Elsayed. “But it was definitely holding up well. It didn’t fail. It didn’t collapse. There didn’t appear to be any danger.”
Elsayed said the tunnel has since been filled up with fillcrete but it isn’t the only surprise downtown rehab work has yielded.
The city also found an old water fault that was likely used for filling up fire trucks.
Choy said it was likely built in the 1920s.
Crews also discovered oil tanks that had been filled with concrete that had to be removed.
In addition to exciting discoveries, Elsayed said he is excited for the project itself to wrap up this year or early next year, depending on weather.
The project, which has been underway for four years, includes replacing pipe infrastructure, enhancing sidewalks, improving tree drainage, upgrading lighting, transforming avenues into alleyways, building a roundabout and more.
“This is the last phase where it all comes together,” said Elsayed.
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TOWN OF STONY PLAIN - A wall inside a former Stony Plain, Alta. bank could show signs of repair after being breached.
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