The Region's Nuclear Bunker: The Historic Waterloo County Municipal Emergency Government Headquarters

This project supports the Region of Waterloo's strategic focus area(s):

Icons representing the Region's strategic focus areas Thriving economy healthy, safe and inclusive communities.

"There is a nuclear bunker in our community?! Why haven't I heard of it?!"

This project supports the Region of Waterloo's strategic focus area(s):

Icons representing the Region's strategic focus areas Thriving economy healthy, safe and inclusive communities.

"There is a nuclear bunker in our community?! Why haven't I heard of it?!"

In 1966, at the height of the Cold War, Waterloo County built a Municipal Emergency Government Headquarters (MEGHQ), a fall out shelter to house the people they felt they needed (government officials, engineers, etc.) to keep the government going in the event of a nearby nuclear attack. Luckily, we never needed to use the bunker for its intended purpose and it was "decommissioned" in 1992. Since then, it has been used in training exercises and by community groups, but- has been vacant since 2017 due to the presence of asbestos and mold within the building.

The Region is looking for ideas from the community about how this unique structure, in a beautiful setting, could be adapted for modern uses. To go directly to the survey please click here: Adaptive-reuse-survey

About the Structure

The 5,720 sq. ft. structure is next to the Grand River on approximately 1.5 acres of land.
Mounded earth structure was built into the landscape to be inconspicuous.
It was built to be self sufficient with its own sewage and water systems and generator for electricity.
It could house about 40 individuals for several weeks.
There were women's and men's dormitories, toilet and shower facilities, a kitchen, operations room, lecture room and decontamination areas.
The 10 inch thick concrete walls and roof give it a nuclear fall out rating of 500 (the radiation inside the structure was 1/500 what it would be outside the structure)

Today, washrooms and several smaller rooms remain as well as a large 1,600 sq. ft. room that opens onto a lawn leading to the river.

There are limitations on what the MEGHQ could be used for today. Because of the close proximity of the Grand River and flood plain, it can not be used for any sort of overnight accommodation.

"Where is the MEGHQ Bunker?"

The Bunker is located on the banks of the Grand River adjacent to:

the Schneider Park boat launch;
the Walter Bean Trail;
the Freeport Campus of Grand River Hospital;
the historic Freeport Bridge;
an iXpress bus stop (Route 206);

The Bunker is just minutes away from Fairview Road, and less than 2 km from the proposed Sportsworld Crossing ION LRT station.

"The Cold War wasn't so long ago, this represents a dark part of our history that most want to forget. The Bunker is not a significant cultural heritage resource we should be saving."

Heritage Significance

This structure is unique: It is believed to be the only example of a purpose-built Municipal Emergency Government Headquarters (MEGHQ) still in existence and in government ownership in Canada.
It was designed by the same architectural firm that designed the CN Tower.
It uses a form of construction that is unique and will rarely, if ever, be replicated again in modern times.
It is a relic of a relatively short but impactful and scary time in our nation's history.

"So what is happening now with the MEGHQ nuclear bunker?"

Please give us your opinion on this rare piece of Cold War history and tell us how you think the bunker could be used.

To take part, please complete the survey : Adaptive-reuse-survey

You may also email your comments to Regional staff at: bcoady@regionofwaterloo.ca

Upcoming Lecture About The Region's Nuclear Bunker- "The Cold War in your backyard: Lessons from Bea Alerte and Justin Case"

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The Laurier Association for Lifelong Learning hosts Dr. Sara Matthews, for her lecture, The Cold War in your backyard: Lessons from Bea Alerte and Justin Case.
On May 4, 2023, all are welcome to join Dr. Sara Matthews for a discussion on the fascinating local history of the Region of Waterloo’s Cold War nuclear bunker and her collaborative work on Canadian civil defence propaganda posters. The talk will explore the visual communication of public safety and consider the question, how is citizenship constructed in relation to threat? For more information and to register for the lecture visit: The Cold War in your backyard: Lessons from Bea Alerte and Justin Case. | Wilfrid Laurier University (wlu.ca)
Tender Awarded, Remediation Work to Begin

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Remediation work on the Bunker structure is scheduled to begin in October 2022 and is estimated to take 8 to 10 weeks to complete. The contractor will begin with weather dependent items first, to ensure completion before the colder months.
Tender is Live for Remedial Work at the Bunker

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The Region of Waterloo is planning to undertake remedial work on the Nuclear Bunker prior to the winter of 2022. Remedial work will include the removal of hazardous materials, rehabilitation of the roof and other repairs to prevent moisture from entering the structure. This work is simply to stabilize the structure for safe entry and prevent further deterioration. This work is not a renovation of the structure for future community use. To bid on the construction tender please visit: Region of Waterloo Bids and Tenders
Stabilization and Remediation of the Heritage Structure

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Regional Council’s 2022 Plan and Budget has included investments in many strategic initiatives including the stewardship of Regional facility assets and Regionally owner heritage structures. As part of the budget process, Regional Council directed staff to undertake immediate repair work to waterproof, abate, secure, and stabilize the Nuclear Bunker structure at 3571 King Street East. Council also directed staff to consult with the City of Kitchener, Grand River Hospital, the Grand River Conservation Authority, and other interested parties regarding a future community use of the structure. For more information about the 2022 Plan and Budget, visit www.regionofwaterloo.ca/PlanandBudget.
Discussions on the Future of the Nuclear Bunker

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The future of the Nuclear Bunker is being discussed as part of the Region's 2022 Plan and Budget. The date that the Nuclear Bunker will be considered for possible budget allocations is at the November 24, 2021 meeting of the Budget Committee. If you are interested in following this discussion, registering as a delegation, or submitting feedback regarding possible budget allocations for the Nuclear Bunker structure, please visit: Region of Waterloo Council Calendar. The agenda and YouTube link for this meeting will be posted shortly.
Further, the Region's 2022 Plan and Budget process has an Engage Region of Waterloo page. Use this link to find pertinent information and other methods to provide feedback on the Budget process: Budget 2022
Thank you all for your ongoing interest.
Thank You For Your Feedback

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Almost 1,000 individuals responded to the "Repurposing the Region's Nuclear Bunker" survey! This feedback has been summarized within a report that will be presented to the Region's Committee of the Whole on September 14, 2021. A link to the Agenda which includes the Report (# PDL-CUL-21-03) titled: Regional Bunker: 3571 King Street East Community Engagement and Next Steps" can be found HERE
Thank you for taking the time to share your opinions on the Region's Nuclear Bunker.