Richardson Beach Bathhouse

Kingston, Ontario, Canada.

The City of Kingston engaged ASC Environmental Inc. to conduct a Designated Substances Review of the historic Richardson Beach Bathhouse and adjacent Pavilion two 20th-century structures central to the city's waterfront heritage. Our objective was to identify and document the presence of hazardous materials such as asbestos, lead, silica, PCBs, and mold in support of planned restoration work. Through meticulous inspection, sampling, and analysis, ASC delivered a clear roadmap for safe, compliant, and cost-effective remediation empowering the City to preserve these landmark buildings with confidence and care.

Designated Substance Review

ASC Environmental Inc. was hired by the City of Kingston to ensure that two historic park buildings the 19th‑century Richardson Beach Bath House and the open‑air Newlands Pavilion were safe for renovation and future public use. Both structures had been unused for years, and the City wanted to restore them without exposing workers or visitors to hidden hazards.

Our team spent a full day on site, carefully inspecting every room, wall, floor and ceiling. We looked for signs of aging materials peeling paint, old caulking, dusty light fixtures and more that could contain harmful substances. Whenever we spotted something suspicious, we took a small sample (following provincial rules), photographed the exact spot, and marked it on a simple floor plan. In total, we collected 19 paint samples, two caulking samples, and documented any visible mould or bird droppings.

All samples were sent to an accredited laboratory for testing. When the results came back, we matched each lab finding to its location in the buildings. We then produced a user‑friendly report, complete with clear maps, photos, and plain‑language instructions. This guide shows contractors exactly where to find and how to safely remove or handle asbestos, lead paint, silica, PCBs and other hazards so the renovation can proceed smoothly, on budget, and in full compliance with Ontario’s safety regulations.

Highlights

Asbestos: Found in window caulking on the second floor of the Bath House.
Lead Paint: Some exterior and interior paint in the Bath House had high lead levels; none in the Pavilion.
Silica: Present in concrete walls and floors of both buildings.
PCBs: Up to 10 light‑fixture ballasts in the Bath House may contain PCBs.
Other: No mould or mercury thermostats were found, but bird droppings were noted around windows and pillars.

Bathhouse Exterior – Exterior view of the bathhouse, featuring a red metal roof and lush greenery in the background.

Impact

Safety First: By knowing exactly what and where the hazards are, contractors can protect their workers with the right gear.
No Surprises: Early testing means the renovation budget won’t be derailed by unexpected cleanup costs.
Legal Peace of Mind: The City meets provincial requirements for informing bidders about any hazardous materials before work starts.
Preserving History: Helps keep these 19th‑century buildings intact by using careful, targeted removal methods.

Side Perspective – Side perspective of the stone façade, partially shaded by mature trees.

Results

Removed Asbestos Caulking around the second‑floor windows using wet methods and simple protective gear.
Stripped Lead Paint from the Bath House surfaces with controlled, dust‑free techniques.
Controlled Silica Dust by misting concrete areas before cutting or drilling.
Disposed of PCB Ballasts from the light fixtures at a licensed facility.

Front Entrance – Front entrance of the bathhouse showcasing elegant gray stone walls and a distinctive red trim