It prompted fears of a highly-calculated terror plot . But in fact , the 33-foot-long bunker built under one of Toronto 's most important tourist attractions was 'just a place to hang out ' , according to its architect . Elton McDonald , 22 , has finally unveiled himself as the man behind the mysterious tunnel which took five years to construct . And his pursuits were far from cunning . Scroll down for video . Just for fun ! Construction worker Elton McDonald , 22 , says he built the underground bunker to watch TV in . Fears : Investigators first thought the 33-foot-long tunnel underneath Toronto could be part of a terror plot . 'Innocent ' : McDonald says he and a friend spent five years constructing the wood-paneled space underground . 'It was n't really a tunnel . I was going to expand it to have a couple of rooms , ' McDonald , a construction worker , told the Toronto Sun newspaper . ' I was hoping to put in a TV . I did some barbecuing in there . It was more a place to hang out . ' Police ignited a frenzy of media speculation in February by announcing the discovery of a 'sophisticated ' hand-dug tunnel near a tennis stadium to be used for the Pan Am Games in July . Much of the speculation was linked to concern about a terrorist plot against the Games . McDonald said he 'd begun working in construction at age 17 and considered it a fun challenge to dig the hideout with several friends . He told his family about it so they understood why he was always so dirty . The site : The bunker is underneath tennis courts where the Pan American Games will be hosted this year . McDonald says he had grand plans to add rooms to the underground 'hang out ' space in Toronto . Days later , police said they had identified two men who had built the tunnel but declined to reveal their identities since no crime had been committed . McDonald told the newspaper he 'd begun working in construction at age 17 and considered it a fun challenge to dig the hideout with several friends . He told his family about the project so they would understand why he came home so dirty . When news broke about the tunnel , McDonald said he did n't speak up because he was afraid he 'd be in trouble . Police tracked him down after his employer recognized some of the equipment used at the site , McDonald said . Suspicious : Police were baffled to find a rosary and poppy on the door but McDonald says it was a gift . Investigation : Police launched a large-scale investigation into the bunker when it was discovered in January . The tunnel was discovered January 14 in a suburban woodlot . Reinforced with wooden walls and ceiling supports , it had electricity supplied by a generator , a sump pump to remove water and a pulley system to remove dirt . Police found a rosary with crucifix and a poppy nailed to one of the tunnel 's wooden supports . McDonald said his sister gave him the crucifix for good luck after a small cave-in , while he 'd found the poppy on Remembrance Day , November 11 , when war veterans are honored . Canada has been on heightened alert for terrorist activity since a gunman attacked the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa in October after fatally shooting a soldier at the nearby National War Memorial . The attack by a so-called 'lone wolf ' Canadian convert to Islam came two days after another convert rammed two soldiers in Quebec with his car , killing one .
Elton McDonald , 22 , says he built the tunnel to watch TV and barbecue . The 33-foot-long bunker lies under stadium that will host Pan Am Games . Its discovery sparked fears of terror plot , McDonald says it was innocent . Police found a rosary , crucifix and poppy nailed to one of the entrances . McDonald claims that was a gift from his sister after a minor cave-in .