Homeowners Face $2 Million Bill After Playground Collapse

Numerous townhome owners in Vaughan, Ont., are confronting hefty bills – now totaling around $2 million collectively – to repair damage to their newly constructed complex.

The condo corporation claims the collapse of a local playground in 2024 resulted from installation mistakes during construction. At this stage, however, the developer has defended the work, the insurance provider has rejected a claim, and homeowners are now responsible for the damages, with costs climbing to nearly $40,000 each.

“Would you expect buying a new home would be this stressful?” said owner Asta Law. She mentioned she purchased pre-construction believing it would be “stress free,” but it has been anything but.

Some owners point out what they perceive as gaps in protections for homeowners in Ontario.

Owner Jarreau Hickson says he and his wife thought they had found the ideal place to start their family when they bought it pre-construction and moved in back in 2021. Instead, he describes their experience as “a nightmare,” coupled with significant financial strain.

“My biggest question is why isn’t there something set up to protect homeowners from situations like this? And if it can happen here, it could happen anywhere to anyone,” Hickson stated.

June 2024 Playground Collapse

The Arthur Townhomes, located near Keele Avenue and McNaughton Road, was a project by developer Treasure Hill. The 51 units were completed in 2021.

The freehold properties are individually owned; however, the community operates under a condominium corporation that manages shared infrastructure like the road itself. The common elements also include a small playground built on top of a stormwater system. In June 2024, that playground unexpectedly collapsed due to a sinkhole forming beneath it.

“We have nephews who come here and play on that playground,” noted Hickson. “Thank goodness no one was actually hurt here. You know, that’s what’s most important. But what could have happened? I mean, it’s unbelievable.”

The playground within the townhouse complex gave way suddenly in June 2024. (Rezwan Razzaque)

Shock over the unexpected collapse soon turned into disbelief regarding what financial responsibilities homeowners would face as a result. They’ve each received bills close to $40,000 through special assessments over about a year and a half to cover related expenses.

Special assessments are one-time charges used to cover unforeseen expenses and budget shortfalls. Toronto-based condo lawyer Bradley Chaplick, who isn’t involved in this case, remarked that these fees are “really high” and not something most buyers consider when purchasing a condo.

The residents of Arthur Townhomes were first hit with an assessment fee of $7,843.12 each in August 2024 for an engineering evaluation – which the condo corporation claimed was necessary for its insurance claim – along with site security measures costing more than $30,000 per month.

A second special assessment came through at $16,000 each in February 2025.

A letter sent from property management to homeowners explained that “the condominium corporation’s engineers discovered that the location and depth of the [storm water] tank was not consistent with available drawings or those produced by the developer.” A “revised approach” was then needed which added more expenses.

Causation Disputed

In May an explanation emerged regarding what caused all this damage.

The property manager informed homeowners via email that specialists from the condo found “makeshift” wooden pieces had been used as temporary shoring during tank installation but were incorrectly left behind afterwards. The email detailed how this shoring failed and pushed against the tank making it unstable laterally leading to its eventual collapse.

However, their insurance provider seems to have reached another conclusion altogether. In October this year – 16 months after the collapse occurred and after spending over $1 million on investigations and mitigation efforts – their insurance claim was denied.

An email sent to by Erica Nelson from Echelon Insurance indicated she couldn’t comment specifically on claims due to privacy reasons but assured they’re “committed to ensuring every client receives fair treatment.”

Following an extensive investigation into what led up to this collapse engineers hired by management reached different conclusions than those at Echelon Insurance (Rezwan Razzaque)

approached Treasure Hill regarding findings made by management’s engineers concerning them being responsible for these issues during construction; Daniella Kozovski who oversees personnel at Treasure Hill commented that they installed “the stormwater system according to manufacturer’s guidelines.”

Kozovski added they’re reviewing an engineering report from insurers stating further; that management board “has not contacted us directly about next steps.”

“We’re dedicated towards collaborating with condominium board resolving these concerns,” her statement read.


Maria Dimakas representing management refused multiple questions posed by but mentioned how committed board is towards protecting interests shared among all unit owners within corporation.

Financial Struggles for Residents

This month saw yet another special assessment issued stating owners owe another $16k plus change-$16,(039/22). Each will pay three installments aimed toward funding replacement works needed alongside other related tasks required after events transpired surrounding playground incident occurring last summer-a requirement originally set before end January next year!

A few homeowners expressed feeling overwhelmed financially resulting from unforeseen circumstances faced presently daily throughout ordeal! “I don’t know where I’m going get money,” said Asta Law bluntly.

Demanding Accountability

Asta shared her confusion surrounding payments made considering she believes such matters stemmed primarily attributed toward development errors needing accountability established between parties involved nonetheless!

<pFellow homeowner Rezwan Razzaque voiced similar thoughts demanding clarity pointing fingers directly onto both developers & City Of Vaughan issuing building permits without proper oversight!(How can something like THIS actually occur!)

As professional engineer himself Razzaque expressed shock witnessing clear mistakes during tank placements occurring previously known standards adhered too well enough apparently??

A number have sought assistance approaching Tarion administering warranty guarantees covering new builds across province attempting resolve lingering disputes ongoing still awaiting feedback further progress achieved moving ahead eventually. However individual coverage applies mainly affecting private residences while separate terms allow associations file claims collective nature entirely-not individual members pursuing direct action unless authorized representatively through corporate body acting accordingly sometimes creates delays hindering overall resolution process undertaken entirely! P
<tarion advised currently engaging actively addressing warranty requests submitted recently alongside builders involved-but specifics remain unclear precisely defining parameters applicable given scenarios presented thus far involving installations failing meet established guidelines observed regularly detected beforehand causing incidents arisen prior should qualify major structural defect category applicable allowing full seven years protection available depending interpretations determined upon adequate reviews taken across industry practices regularly conducted consequently issuing assurance timely fair resolutions forthcoming before long hopefully enabling rightful protections safeguarded effectively measured appropriately assessed continual vigilance maintained following procedures meant uphold quality expectations necessary required achieving satisfactory outcomes presented alike instances witnessed firsthand preceding involvement relationships fostered amongst parties concerned continuously maintaining transparency fostering trust levels satisfactorily rebuilding rapport regained gradually once accomplished thoroughly!