Westmount residents call MUHC superhospital noise a nuisance

SNC-Lavalin is contesting claims that noise coming from the newMUHC superhospitals ventilation and cooling systems is louder than Westmount bylaws allow.

Christina Smith, district 5 councillor for the City of Westmount, told CBC Radios Daybreak Thursday that tests have shown the noise from the Glen Yards siteslightly exceeds allowable limits.

Public security officers have measured it several times throughout the day Its slightly above, but above nonetheless, she told Daybreak host Mike Finnerty.

She said WestmountCity Council has heard complaints from numerous residents about the noise, which started back in April when the hospital began testing its ventilation and cooling systems.

Its become an irritant for residents facing the hospital. Its been very difficult for them," Smith said. "Weve had several complaints now. It started with just a few houses on Ste-Catherine Street that face the site and were having a hard time with it. Now, with summer here, everyones outside and they hear it."

Philippe Lord lives a few blocks from the MUHCs Glen Yards site and said the noise is a newand unwelcome constant in the neighbourhood.

We know were not living in the countryside, we all agree on that But this [sound] is forever, and its disturbing. We dont need more noise in the area, he said.

Somebody should have thought about the noise impacting on the area, he said.

SNC-Lavalinquestions test findings

However, Jose Ethier, SNC-Lavalins deputy project manager for the superhospital, told Daybreak that their tests show the noise is within Westmounts allowable limits.

In fact, she said theres less noise at the site than there was before construction on the hospital started in 2010.

She said the situation could improve once tests are finished and the ventilation and cooling systems are properly balanced.

We will complete the balancing of those systems, were progressing well. We need to deliver the hospital by the end of September We think the situation may improve, yes, and well make additional measurements when theyre completed and address the situation at that time if theres still a problem, she said.

However, she questioned whether there is in fact a problem, given SNC-Lavalins own tests.

Smith said Westmount believes there is indeed a problem and has hired its own acoustical engineer to measure the sound and propose solutions.