Toronto Police released new details about a tunnel discovered near the Pan Am games venue site.
A conservation officer found the tunnel in the Black Creek parklands near York University and the Rexall Centre on Jan. 14. The tunnel was located 82 feet from a fence line west of the Rexall Centre. It is 33 feet in length, six and a half feet in height and two feet in width.
The reasons and the people behind its construction are currently unknown. However, Deputy Chief Mark Saunders has stated there is currently no evidence of terrorism or criminal activity.
“There is no criminal offence for digging a hole,” Saunders said. “Looking at it objectively someone has dug a tunnel; there is no criminal offence for that. There might be some provincial statutes, there might be some bylaws but until we find intent that will cross the investigation over to a potential criminal aspect and we get that evidence, this is not a criminal investigation.”
The individuals responsible for building the tunnel are said to have expertise in ensuring structural integrity and tunnel construction based on the extent of the tunnel and wall reinforcements, which consisted of two by eight foot wood supports along with lighting, consisting of moisture resistant bulbs and a pulley system, which was used for removing dirt during construction and a sump pump for water drainage.
Toronto Police are still investigating and have since filled in the tunnel out of public safety concerns.