The one-time funding opportunity is for all 188 municipalities in B.C.
It’s meant to help communities prepare for future growth and build the amenities needed to support new home construction.
It is the largest single provincial investment in communities in the province’s history.
The Whole Story:
What could $1 billion do to transform communities across B.C?
The province is about to find out. Grants totalling $1 billion are on the way to help local governments build infrastructure and amenities.
The province announced the new grants are intended to help communities meet the demands of unprecedented population growth.
“B.C.’s strong economy and natural beauty continue to attract people from across Canada and around the world. Cities and towns need support to build thriving, livable communities,” said Premier David Eby. “The new Growing Communities Fund will help local municipalities improve roads, build more arenas and water facilities, and improve recreation options for families.”
The Growing Communities Fund will provide a one-time total of $1 billion in grants to all 188 of B.C.’s municipalities and regional districts, which they can use to address their community’s unique infrastructure and amenities demands – such as recreation facilities, parks and water-treatment plants, as well as other community infrastructure. It will help communities prepare for future growth and build the amenities needed to support new home construction, especially with the Housing Supply Act where targets are set.
“Addressing B.C.’s housing crisis requires a variety of responses, including increasing the supply of available housing which, in many communities in B.C., requires investments in community infrastructure and amenities,” said Anne Kang, minister of municipal affairs. “Today’s announcement demonstrates a cross-government co-operation to address the unique aspects of the housing crisis in each community, ensuring they can thrive into the future.”
These grants will complement existing infrastructure funding (such as sewer, water and recreation facilities) and will be distributed to B.C.’s 188 municipalities and regional districts by the end of March. The Growing Communities Fund will come from the surplus shown in the Second Quarter Financial Report.
“I thank the province for this investment into much-needed community infrastructure,” said Brenda Locke, mayor of Surrey. “As we know, Surrey is the fastest-growing city in the province. With that growth, we have an opportunity and a responsibility to work together to create livable communities and create a variety of housing options. This investment will ensure the quality of life in Surrey is not only maintained, but improved. From recreation facilities to parks to roads, this investment will benefit the residents of Surrey both now and well into the future.”
Officials noted that there are six times more requests for funding through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program Community, Culture and Recreation stream than what is available. This one-time fund supports the priorities of the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM).
“Today’s announcement provides the largest single provincial investment in communities in our province’s history,” said Jen Ford, president, UBCM. “This unprecedented transfer will help meet the needs of growing populations through the expansion of facilities and replacement of aging infrastructure. It will also support climate adaptation to sustain service delivery and safeguard residents from the risks of extreme weather. By delivering the funds with maximum flexibility, the province is ensuring that they will be directed to urgent local priorities. This shows tremendous commitment from the province and is welcome news for residents in all communities.”
Key Takeaways:
Aecon will help build the Oneida Energy Storage project in Ontario.
The project is the largest of its kind in Canada and amongst the largest in the world.
Construction is expected to commence in the second quarter of 2023, with anticipated completion in 2025.
The facility will draw and store existing surplus baseload and renewable energy during off-peak periods and release that energy back to the grid when demand is at its peak.
The Whole Story:
Aecon Group Inc. announced that Oneida Energy Storage Limited Partnership (Oneida LP), a consortium in which Aecon Concessions will be an equity partner, has executed an agreement for an energy storage facility in Ontario.
The consortium entered into an agreement with Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) to deliver the Oneida Energy Storage Project, a 250 megawatt / 1,000 megawatt-hour energy storage facility near Nanticoke, Ont.
Under the agreement, Aecon has been awarded a $141 million engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract by Oneida LP. The value of the contract was added to Aecon’s Construction segment backlog in the fourth quarter of 2022.
NRStor, the Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation (SNGRDC), Northland Power and Aecon Concessions will be the owners of Oneida LP, which will provide electricity storage services to the IESO through a 20-year agreement and receive fixed availability payments from IESO for capacity services, as well as revenue from energy sold into the Ontario electricity grid and operating reserve. Tesla is the battery supplier and has executed a battery supply agreement with Oneida LP.
According to Aecon, the project is the largest of its kind in Canada and amongst the largest in the world. It will provide a gigawatt-hour of much needed capacity to the Ontario grid, while prioritizing local Indigenous partnerships and environmental benefits. The scope of work includes designing the facility, procuring balance of plant facility equipment, installing equipment foundations, electrical houses, battery transformers, switchgears and underground cabling, as well as constructing a high voltage substation, and commissioning and startup activities. Construction is expected to commence in the second quarter of 2023, with anticipated completion in 2025.
“As a leader in the energy transition, Aecon is working at the forefront to build and operate sustainable infrastructure and the battery energy storage market offers robust opportunities for continued growth in a significant global market,” said Jean-Louis Servranckx, president and CEO of Aecon Group Inc. “We are pleased to combine the multidisciplinary expertise of Aecon’s Construction and Concessions teams to deliver this sustainable project that will improve electricity management during peak demand, reduce GHG emissions, and support economic development and long-term partnerships with Indigenous communities – creating energy savings to meet the needs of future generations. Building on our existing Aecon-Six Nations joint venture with the SNGRDC, this partnership is a natural progression, and we look forward to working with all partners to deliver this innovative project.”
The project is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 4.1 million tonnes – the equivalent of taking 40,000 cars off the road every year. The facility will draw and store existing surplus baseload and renewable energy during off-peak periods and release that energy back to the grid when demand is at its peak. In addition, Aecon stated that it will help stabilize Ontario’s electricity sector by providing important grid balancing services and benefits to provincial ratepayers, including reducing the need and cost associated with using gas-fired power plants during times of peak demand.
Aecon noted that the Canada Infrastructure Bank has played a key role supporting project development and is collaborating with the Oneida Energy Storage Project on an investment agreement. Natural Resources Canada has provided $50 million in funding from the Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways program. The project contributes to Canada’s ongoing transition to a net-zero economy by 2050 and commitment to achieving a 100 per cent net-zero-emitting electricity system by 2035.
Their projects are massive, their techniques are innovative and some of their roots go back more than a century. Building Design has released its annual list of the biggest architecture firms. The list is based on the number of fee-earning architects a firm employs.
We dug into the top ten to find out where they come from, what projects they are building and if they have any roots in Canada.
10. HKS
SoFi Stadium. – HKS
HKS is a global firm of architects, designers and advisors. They have 1,500 employees in 26 offices across the world. While they don’t have offices in Canada, they have a significant presence in the U.S. Their work on the LA Rams’ SoFi Stadium won first place in the 2022 World Architecture Festival’s Completed Buildings: Sports category. And Emory Musculoskeletal Institute (EMSK) was a finalist in the Completed Buildings: Health category. They are also working on an 80-story, 1,035-foot residential skyscraper planned for Austin, Texas.
9. DLR
Theatre of Ballet Symphony Orchestra and Opera. – DLR
This firm is 100% employee owned and their motto is simple: elevate the human experience through design. Founded in Nebraska, the company now has 30 offices from the Pacific to Atlantic coasts in the United States, and several international locations. Some of their recent work includes a new subway station in San Francisco. Last year the firm received American Architecture Awards for two international conceptual designs – the Theatre of Ballet Symphony Orchestra and Opera in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and the Culture and Sports Complex in Xiamen, China.
Founded in 1970, this South Korean firm has 15 branch offices and more than 1,400 employees. Their offices span the globe in countries like Cambodia, Qatar, Vietnam, Malaysia and Saudi Arabia. Last year their work on Incheon International Airport Passenger Terminal 2 won them an International Architecture Award. They also won a Prix Versailles award for work on Qatar Al Thumama Stadium.
SkyTrain Expo Line Modernizations. – Perkins Eastman
While this international firm is headquartered in New York City, they still dip their toe across the border into Canada. Some of this includes the Women’s College Hospital in Toronto, modernizations for Vancouver’s SkyTrain system and Trillium Health Centre in Mississauga. The firm has 24 studios across the globe in cities like Vancouver, Toronto, Austin, Shanghai, Dubai, Los Angeles and Chicago.
AECOM launched as an independent company formed by the merger of five entities. While its official founding was in 1990, many of its predecessor firms had distinguished histories dating back more than 120 years. Since then, more than 50 companies have joined and, in 2007, it became a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange. Their impact in Canada has been vast. Their resume includes Réseau Express Métropolitain in Quebec, Toronto York Spadina Subway Extension in Ontario and a massive terminal expansion at the Calgary International Airport.
4. Sweco
Aarhus Stadium. – Sweco
This European firm was founded in 1958 and swears by the Sweco model. The model is based on four cornerstones: client focus, the best employees, internal efficiency and a decentralized organization. Sweco operates in eight business areas representing 13 countries in Northern Europe. Recently, they have been doing work on the UK’s largest Antarctic science research hub, a net-zero office building redevelopment near London Bridge and the new Aarhus stadium in Denmark.
3. Nikken Sekkei
Kumamoto Railway Station Building. – Nikken Sekkei
Just last year, a Nikken joint venture was selected as the winner of China’s largest transportation hub architectural competition. They also saw their Kumamoto Railway Station Building win International Living Future Institute’s 2022 Biophilic Design Award. But their history goes deep. They have compiled a detailed history of their work that goes back to their founding in Japan in 1900.
2. HDR
Ontario Line Subway – HDR
HDR specializes in engineering, architecture, environmental and construction services with more than 200 offices in 13 countries. Their site stats that they are most well-known for adding beauty and structure to communities through high-performance buildings and smart infrastructure. It’s hard to pick which Canadian projects to highlight from HDR because their list of work here is extensive. They are advising on the Ontario Line Subway, did work for the long-awaited McLoughlin Point Wastewater Treatment Plant and were involved with the award-winning John Deutsch University Centre.
1. Gensler
Central Park House. – Gensler
With 2,692 architects on staff and more than $1 billion in fee income, Gensler easily soared to the top of Building Design’s list. They also topped it in 2021. In Canada, they are leading the push to convert vacant office buildings into housing. They are identifying these projects using a data crunching tool that helps identify prime candidates for conversion. They also have digital tools to enhance their design process. The Gensler team has done work on the striking Central Park House in Metro Vancouver, BMO Field in Toronto and the GE Innovation Centre in Calgary.
Cost estimates for the Coastal GasLink Project in B.C. have risen by billions and could rise more.
TC Energy Corporation announced it now expects the project to cost $14.5 billion instead of $11.2 billion. The company gave the following reasons for the increase:
Material cost pressures
Shortages of skilled labour
Impacts of contractor underperformance and disputes
Drought conditions
Erosion and sediment control challenges.
Company officials said a comprehensive cost and schedule risk analysis (CSRA) was conducted to assess current market conditions and potential risks and uncertainties facing the remaining project scope. As a result of the CSRA, TC Energy’s estimate of the costs to complete the Project has increased to approximately $14.5 billion. TC noted that the estimate excludes potential cost recoveries and incorporates contingencies for certain factors that may be outside of its control such as labour conditions, contractor performance and weather-related events.
TC Energy expects to fund the incremental revised project costs and is actively pursuing cost mitigants and recoveries that may partially offset a portion of these costs, some of which may not be conclusively determined until after the project is in service.
They added that Coastal GasLink is working closely with its prime contractors on implementing productivity improvement strategies targeting mechanical completion by year-end 2023, with commissioning and clean-up work continuing into 2024 and 2025. The CSRA review also considered the potential impact of an extension of construction well into 2024. In that event, costs would increase further by up to $1.2 billion. Due to the increase in the expected cost of the project and the additional funding required, TC Energy said it will recognize an impairment to its equity investment in Coastal GasLink LP in its fourth quarter 2022 financial results.
The company said that despite the challenges, project continues to make significant progress having reached approximately 83 per cent overall completion. The entire route has been cleared, grading is more than 94 per cent complete and over 485 km of the approximately 670 km pipeline has been backfilled with restoration activities underway in many areas. The Wilde Lake Compressor Facility has commenced commissioning work with the introduction of natural gas expected in March. Once complete, Coastal GasLink will be Canada’s first direct link for LNG deliveries.
TC Energy’s overall 2023 capital expenditure outlook has been revised to approximately $11.5 to $12.0 billion, reflecting the deferral of certain project spending, expected cost-saving initiatives and incremental funding requirements associated with Coastal GasLink.
“We are disappointed with the increase in the Coastal GasLink Project costs. We continue to be laser-focused on safely completing this critical piece of energy infrastructure at the lowest possible cost, which will enable Canada’s first direct path for LNG exports,” said TC Energy president and CEO François Poirier. “The Project will provide substantive benefits for Indigenous and local communities across the Project route, our customers, the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin, as well as playing a vital role in enabling global energy security and emissions reduction contributing to global climate goals.”
Poirier added that TC Energy remains committed to growing its dividend at an annual rate of three to five per cent and accelerating our deleveraging target from 2026.
As previously announced, the company is advancing a $5+ billion asset divestiture program this year. Officials stated that they anticipate a combination of strong market interest and compelling valuations will support upsizing the program to fully fund the capital program and achieve the company’s deleveraging target. Poirier stated that the company will maintain its intent to cease the discounted Dividend Reinvestment Plan following the dividend declarations for the quarter ending June 30, 2023.
“Our strategic priorities for 2023 remain unchanged. Our focus is on safe project execution and operational excellence, strengthening our balance sheet and financial flexibility, enhancing returns on our assets, and advancing our decarbonization and low-carbon opportunities,” said Poirier.
Exxon Mobil announced on Thursday that it will invest roughly $560 million in a new Canadian renewable-diesel facility through its majority-owned affiliate, Imperial Oil Ltd. The move is the latest in Exxon’s efforts to boost biofuel production and curb greenhouse gas emissions.
The facility, which will be located next to the Strathcona refinery near Edmonton, Alta., is now expected to start production in 2025, later than the original target of 2024. The facility is projected to produce 20,000 barrels of fuel daily, utilizing primarily local feedstocks and incorporating hydrogen and carbon capture and storage.
We are making strategic investments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from our own operations and to help customers in vital sectors of the economy reduce their emissions.
–Brad Corson, CEO of Imperial
According to Exxon, renewable diesel has the same chemical make-up as conventional diesel but is considered a more environmentally friendly fuel source. Produced from feedstocks such as vegetable oil, it can be seamlessly used in regular engines compared to biodiesel.
“The Strathcona project is another example of how we are investing in advantaged facilities and applying our leading technology and decades of experience to develop lower-emission solutions for customers. We continue to focus investments on markets like Canada, where well-designed policies support technologies that reduce life-cycle emissions,” said Karen McKee, president of ExxonMobil Product Solutions.
Key Takeaways:
The first phase includes 18 km of track and 13 stations.
SNC-Lavalin stated it has extensive global experience acting as the delivery partner to various levels of governments on complex transportation projects.
It has an estimated budget of $5.5 billion and is expected to wrap up in 2026.
The Whole Story:
SNC-Lavalin has been appointed the delivery partner for the city of Calgary’s Green Line LRT, the largest infrastructure investment in the city’s history.
SNC-Lavalin stated that it will leverage its technical and commercial expertise in complex megaprojects to support the delivery of Phase 1 of the Calgary Green Line LRT Project.
The 18 km transit system will connect the existing Red and Blue LRT lines and four MAX BRT routes. SNC-Lavalin, along with its partners, will support the city in delivering project functions such as commercial management, technical support, project controls, and construction management.
“It is a privilege for us to have been chosen by the City of Calgary to support them in the delivery of this project,” said Ian L. Edwards, president and CEO of SNC-Lavalin. “As a leader in the field, we have extensive global experience acting as the delivery partner to various levels of governments on complex transportation projects.”
A rendering shows one of the future Green Line LRT vehicles. – City of Calgary
Edwards called the project a continuation of a long tradition of excellence in the rail industry where SNC-Lavalin has deep expertise in the design, build, operation and maintenance of the integrated systems that are required to deliver smarter cities and better transportation. He added that the project supports the company’s commitment to developing well-engineered and prosperous communities that perfectly align with our purpose.
“The Green Line LRT is a historical project that will change the face of transit in Calgary. Not only will it connect entire communities and improve mobility for people, organizations, businesses and future investors, it will also unlock vital transit oriented development, thus contributing to the city’s economic growth,” said Ben Almond, CEO of engineering services Canada at SNC-Lavalin. “Together with our partners, we bring strong, local teams with in-depth understanding of the project, proven skills and decades of knowledge. We look forward to delivering a safe and reliable infrastructure to the City of Calgary and its citizens.”
Phase one of the project includes:
13 stations
18 km of LRT track
3 park and ride facilities at Shepard, Douglas Glen and Lynnwood/Millican stations
1 km of elevated track between 26 Avenue S.E. station and Ramsay/Inglewood station
3 km of tunnel under Beltline and Downtown
4 LRT bridge structures that span across the Elbow River, Bow River, Deerfoot Trail and Blackfoot Trail
1 LRV maintenance and storage facility
Key Takeaways:
Turner Construction and Clark Builders have be selected for the project.
They plan to use integrated project delivery, prefabrication, modular construction and mass timber.
The building is expected to be completed for the University of Fraser Valley in 2024.
The Whole Story:
Turner Construction Company and Clark Builders have been selected to build student housing at the University of Fraser Valley (UFV) in B.C.. The six-storey, $73 million mass timber building will provide 398 beds on the university’s Abbotsford campus.
The student housing facility will provide lounges, shared kitchens, study, and mixed-use and cultural space. The project will integrate Passive House Building Certification standards.
Turner stated that the building will be constructed using the integrated project delivery (IPD) model. The project team added that this approach will result in increased efficiency and engagement of all project participants through all phases of design, fabrication and construction. The construction team plans to include modularization and pre-fabrication in the building program.
Construction will begin this year and the building is expected to be ready for occupancy in the fall of 2024.
“We are extremely excited to begin work on this housing project,” said Amit Patel, vice president and general manager of Turner Construction Company. “It is great to be part of an extremely collaborative process that will result in environmentally friendly housing for students attending the University of Fraser Valley.”
Some of the project details include:
Six-storey building, built with hybrid construction method, using reinforced concrete, mass timber, and light wood framing.
398 new beds: most units will be triple-occupancy units that include private bedrooms with shared living area and bathroom.
Both single and triple accessible units will be available on every floor.
Mixed-use amenity spaces, including a student lounge, shared kitchens, study spaces, student programming space, a retail unity with a food vendor, and a cultural space.
Key Takeaways:
The 12-foot diameter tunnel will run from Esplanade to Bay and Dundas.
It will house new power infrastructure to replace cables that were installed in the 1950s.
The tunnel boring is expected to be completed by early 2024 and the installation of the new cables is expected to be completed by 2026.
The Whole Story:
Ladies and gentlemen, we have liftoff.
Hydro One has launched construction on a new tunnel that will run 85 feet below ground in downtown Toronto, from the Esplanade to Bay and Dundas.
The tunnel will be 12 feet in diameter, approximately the size of three park benches, and will house new transmission cables, replacing cables that have served Toronto’s downtown core since the 1950s. Hydro One is investing approximately $120 million dollars in this infrastructure renewal project in the downtown core to ensure the company can continue to provide clean and reliable energy to some of Toronto’s most critical institutions, including Hospital Row, City Hall and the Financial District.
“Hydro One plays an important role in supplying power to Toronto Hydro and its customers in the downtown core. The new tunnel we are building underneath the city will house our critical, upgraded power lines and improve reliability for customers,” said Andrew Spencer, vice president, transmission and stations for Hydro One. “We’re steadfast in our commitment to making strategic investments in our aging infrastructure to prepare the grid for the impacts of climate change.”
Hydro One said it is working closely with the city of Toronto and Toronto Hydro to coordinate construction needs and the use of a tunnel boring machine, minimizing disruptions to residents and local businesses by allowing for most of the required construction to take place underground. The tunnel boring is expected to be completed by early 2024 and the installation of the new cables is expected to be completed by 2026.
Much of Ontario’s electricity system was built in the 1950s. Over the next five years, Hydro One plans to undertake projects that will reduce the impacts of power outages, renew and replace critical transmission and distribution infrastructure, enable economic growth and prepare for climate change in almost every community across Ontario.
Once complete, the underground tunnel housing the new power cables will run between Esplanade TS and Terauley TS.
A map shows the route the tunnel will take. – Hydro One
Key Takeaways:
A string of successful biotech companies, support from the province and a pipeline of skilled workers is creating more and more demand for life science facilities in Metro Vancouver.
Low Tide Properties has been gaining experience managing the asset class and is now proposing to build one from scratch.
Their proposed facility, Lab 29, incorporates lessons they have learned and work could begin as early as this year.
The Whole Story:
Low Tide Properties is brewing up something special with its Lab 29 development.
The Vancouver project aims to establish an innovative life sciences and office building development that will neighbour the city’s leading hospitals and research facilities.
Named after the 29th element, copper, Lab 29 pays homage to the metal manufacturing facilities that inhabited the site in the past and the scientific research and development that will take place in the future. In addition to the name, the completed building will feature a striking copper colour intertwined throughout the property’s architecture.
Finding areas of growth
Why a life science building?
Adam Mitchell, vice president of asset management and development, explained that this is what Low Tide does: zooming in on specific cities and neighbourhoods to identify opportunities for growth.
“On a high level, this is what we do. We look for specific areas to invest in as we are not a broad market investor,” said Mitchell. “These areas are usually on the fringes of downtown. They are areas that might be slightly overlooked and there is a compelling growth story for specific real estate.”
Using this approach, Low Tide has zeroed in on asset classes like creative offices, flex industrial, flex urban industrial, multi-family rental and life science. The company cut its teeth by acquiring a series of properties in Vancouver’s False Creek Flats area. Some were originally built as life science facilities but had been turned into traditional office spaces.
“When we started managing these buildings we found the demand for life science space was outpacing office space so we started converting space back from office to laboratory,” said Mitchell. “Through this process we developed expertise in managing these buildings. We understand what tenants want and need out of the building and so we have made it a core part of our strategy.”
Building from scratch
With Lab 29, Low Tide is hoping to push the envelope with a modern, purpose-built life science facility.
Mitchel explained that he believes there are several factors driving demand for life science space. The overall sector is growing in Vancouver and B.C. as a whole. You have local success stories like AbCellera, a biotechnology company that researches and develops human antibodies. The company is best known for its leading role in the Pandemic Prevention Platform, a project for the U.S. government. In 2021, it reported more than US $375 million in revenue.
“These are really good success stories and they have continued to grow, making them strong employers in the region,” said Mitchell. “So more people are getting those science degrees, creating a strong pipeline of talent coming from the schools.”
The province has also done its part to create fertile conditions for science businesses, making it a key part of its economic strategy for the region. While all this makes for a good base to start a company, the lack of life science facilities creates a challenge.
Mitchell explained that many companies start in an incubator at a university, receive government funding to jump start their business, show results or a viable product to get investors, leave academia in search of space but then hit a wall at 20,000 square feet when they need to grow.
“Because of limited availability of space, they usually get acquired and rolled into existing spaces, or in the worst-case scenario, they get acquired by a U.S. company and are consolidated into a U.S. location” he said. “Part of that is just not having the option of available space.”
Work could begin this year
This story of growth potential attracted Low Tide and they have learned the intricacies of managing life science buildings.
“It’s not easy,” he said. “You need an experienced team that knows how the technological components of the buildings work,” he said.
The 230,000 square-foot facility’s design features large floor plates, high ceilings and full backup power so sensitive experiments or instruments aren’t impacted during an outage.
“Redundant backup power isn’t something you typically see in buildings,” said Mitchell. “But it’s one of the lessons we have taken from our existing portfolio.”
Low Tide also wants to help tenants compete for talent by including a large rooftop conference patio, fitness centre and end-of-trip facilities. The project currently awaiting its development permit which Low Tide expects to receive this summer. Shovels could be in the ground before the end of the year. The project team is currently marketing the building for lease.
More renderings of Lab 29:
The city of Calgary has announced the winners of the second annual Winter City Design Competition.
Calgary designers, artists and post-secondary students were asked to dream up activations, designs and experiments along Stephen Avenue and in the Beltline that embrace winter and support Calgarians to socialize and interact with our downtown during the winter months.
“Calgary has an amazing design community and we’re excited to provide creative opportunities to help bring their ideas to life,” says Kate Zago, lead of the competition. “We can’t wait to showcase these designs in February and have people enjoy the new experiences to help create vibrancy, better social connections and increase overall social wellness during the winter months.”
The two winners that will receive funding to build and install their designs in February 2023 are:
Illumine
This design is three glowing frames, each containing movable and interactive elements, focused on public interactions and constant creation. The project team includes Paul Miller, Miles Abesdris.
Illumine – City of Calgary
Chinook-ery
This design was inspired by the region’s landscape. its the modular structures include benches, slides, lights and tunnels that can be organized to support various activities and experienced differently with the fluctuating weather conditions. The Project team includes Giovanni Carano, Vince Ellis, Kayla Royce, Marcia Eng, Jenn Comrie, David Kowel, Leighton Ginther, Jon van Heyst, Kim Crews.
Chinook-ery – City of Calgary
Calgarians see thes designs for themselves from Feb. 1 to 26. Illumine will be installed at Stephen Avenue and 1 Street S.W. and Chinook-ery will be built at Barb Scott Park. Each winning project will receive $15,000 to construct and install their design.
“As an architect, the decision to participate in the competition was driven by the desire to contribute to an engaging public realm and the greater community,” says Paul Miller, Illumine team member and principal with Mion Architecture. “I believe even a small, temporary intervention can materially enrich the life of a street and can become a catalyst for greater human connection.”
Team members from Chinook-ery shared a similar thoughts in a city media release.
“We are professional engineers, designers and planners that work in the Beltline (with some of us living there too),” said Kayla Royce, transportation engineer with Urban Systems. “We loved the opportunity to work across professional disciplines, to think creatively about a local park and to celebrate playful designs that enhance the experience of being outside during the winter season for residents, workers and visitors of the Beltline.”
To learn more about the winning designs and to see all the submissions for the Winter City Design Competition, please visit Calgary.ca/WinterCity.
The Winter City Design Competition was established to imagine the possibilities for eye-catching and interactive displays along Stephen Avenue and in the downtown as a whole. The goal of the competition is to explore and push beyond the boundaries of what public spaces look like in the midst of a Calgary winter in the civic heart of our city.
Metro Vancouver is one step closer to an expanded SkyTrain system now that two teams have been shortlisted for a major project contract.
B.C. has invited two pre-qualified bidding teams to participate in the request for proposals (RFP) stage to design, build and finance the elevated guideway, roadworks and utilities, as well as active transportation elements of the Surrey Langley SkyTrain.
The request for qualifications (RFQ) was posted through BC Bid and closed on Nov. 1, 2022. After a thorough evaluation of the RFQ submissions, the teams invited to participate in the RFP stage are:
South Fraser Guideway Connectors
Proponent: Aecon Infrastructure Management Inc., Acciona Infrastructure Canada Inc., Pomerleau BC Inc.
Design-build contractor: Aecon Infrastructure Management Inc.; Acciona Infrastructure Canada Inc., Pomerleau BC Inc.
Design contractor: SYSTRA International Bridge Technologies Inc.
B.C. officials anticipate the successful proponent will be announced late in the fall.
In October 2022, the province issued a separate RFQ for the construction of eight new SkyTrain stations, including active transportation elements, such as cycling and walking paths around the new stations. A third RFQ was issued in November 2022 for the systems and trackwork contract, including design, installation and integration of electrical systems, such as power, telecommunications and automatic controls, and the supply and installation of the trackwork.
The province stated that it will announce the short-listed proponents for the second and third RFPs in 2023. Contract awards are anticipated in early 2024.
Key Takeaways:
The downtown Toronto retrofit is by developer Dream.
The building is part of a group of 19 Dream properties in Ontario and Saskatchewan which received a $136.6 million investment from the CIB.
Officials say IREE certification is encouraging a standardized process of developing and financing projects.
The Whole Story:
A redevelopment in Toronto is the first retrofit project financed by the CIB to achieve Investor Ready Energy Efficiency (IREE) certification.
366 Bay St. by developer Dream is situated in Toronto’s financial core. It features a newly renovated modern lobby and suites for office tenants. It has high efficiency HVAC systems, 24/7 indoor air quality monitoring, a state-of-the-art energy management system and a building automation system.
IREE certification is part of the Canada Infrastructure Bank’s (CIB) Building Retrofits Initiative and is administered through the Canada Green Building Council (CAGBC). Officials say the goal of the certification is to increase investor confidence by providing third-party verification that retrofit projects meet desired energy targets.
Officials noted that as the first certified building financed by one of the CIB’s large-scale decarbonization investments, Dream’s 366 Bay St. redevelopment represents an important milestone and one of many retrofit projects to come that will be IREE certified. The CIB’s initiative finances the capital costs of retrofits, using energy savings and operating cost savings for repayment.
The building is part of a group of 19 Dream properties in Ontario and Saskatchewan which received a $136.6 million investment from the CIB. The building retrofits will see approximately 1,500 jobs created and the decarbonization and modernization of buildings where 15,000 employees work.
CIB officials added that by requiring IREE certification, they are encouraging a standardized process of developing and financing projects and helping to establish energy retrofit investments as a distinct asset class.
“Our green infrastructure investments are expediting the decarbonization of buildings across Canada,” said Ehren Cory, CIB CEO. “By providing attractive financing options and partnering with the private sector, we can serve as the link to ensure meaningful action is taken to enhance energy efficiency of buildings. IREE certification is our standard to finance retrofit projects and build positive outcomes for Canadians.”
Dream is a developer of office and residential assets in Toronto, owns stabilized income generating assets in both Canada and the U.S., and has an established asset management business. They also develop land and residential assets in Western Canada. Dream expects to generate more recurring income in the future as its urban development properties are completed and held for the long term.
Get ready to hit the ice.
Surrey officials approved a contract for the supply and installation of piles for the Cloverdale Sport & Ice Complex. A $3.1 million contract was awarded to Graham Construction and Engineering LP for the next phase of construction. Once complete, the new arena will increase Surrey’s overall ice capacity, while accommodating the need for an additional ice arena in Cloverdale.
“This next phase of construction of the Cloverdale Sport & Ice Complex is a milestone for this long-awaited project,” said Mayor Brenda Locke. “With foundation work starting, this new destination sport complex is on its way to providing much-needed additional ice in Cloverdale. When completed, the Cloverdale Sport & Ice Complex will have two NHL-sized sheets available for team play and public use. This project has also been designed to grow as the community grows by having the option to add a third ice sheet.”
Construction of the Cloverdale Sport & Ice Complex began in August 2022 and was included in the 2021 Five-Year (2021-2025) Capital Financial Plan. Along with two new ice sheets, the project includes seating for 200 spectators per sheet, multi-purpose and community rooms, change rooms and other supporting amenities. The complex is also designed with the option to add another NHL-sized arena sheet.
When opened, the new ice sheets will offer various programs including ice hockey, figure skating, public lessons, skating sessions, and dry-floor summer use for sports such as a lacrosse and ball hockey. Officials say the new sports and recreation facility has been designed to be energy efficient and meet the highest standards for accessibility.
The Cloverdale Sport & Ice Complex will be located at 6336 177B Street and will open in the fall of 2024.
Stony Plain Road Bridge is coming down.
Edmonton officials announced that on Dec. 29, Stony Plain Road from 129 Street to 131 Street and Groat Road from 107 Avenue to River Valley Road, including the shared-use path, will be closed as Marigold Infrastructure Partners (MIP) begin demolishing the Stony Plain Road Bridge. Replacement of the bridge is required for the Valley Line West LRT project.
Eastbound and westbound vehicle and pedestrian traffic across Stony Plain Road Bridge will be detoured to 102 Avenue or 107 Avenue until fall 2024.
Construction for Valley Line West includes two new bridges: one crossing Groat Road on Stony Plain Road between 129 Street and Connaught Drive and another crossing Anthony Henday at 87 Avenue.
According to the city, construction of the new bridge will take up to two years. The new bridge will be wider to accommodate one lane of vehicle traffic in either direction, the Valley Line West LRT, a sidewalk and a shared-use path on the south side of the bridge. Once completed, the mixed-use transportation corridor is expected to improve access to and from the west end to downtown.
Alberta officials say 2022 was a major year for infrastructure work, outlining all the progress that was made on significant projects.
“Throughout 2022, Infrastructure played a major role in proactively rebuilding our economy. Many infrastructure projects around the province provided thousands of construction and related jobs in local communities,” said Nathan Neudorf, deputy premier and minister of infrastructure. “We have worked on accelerating priority projects and cutting red tape in order to get shovels in the ground faster at sites across Alberta. Moving forward into 2023, we will continue to work with the rest of government to ensure our province is focused on the priority infrastructure needs of Albertans.”
Construction was completed on:
Nineteen school projects, creating more than 7,300 new and 3,800 modernized student spaces throughout the province. An additional 43 school projects are underway in the planning, design or construction phase.
Four health projects, including the $1.4-billion 186,000 square metre Calgary Cancer Centre. Last summer, at the peak of construction, more than 1,650 trades and construction workers were on site.
Red Deer recovery community facility. Another five facilities located in Lethbridge, Gunn, Calgary, Edmonton and the Blood Tribe First Nation are currently in the planning, design or construction phase.
Progress was made on:
Phase I of the new more than $400-million Gene Zwozdesky Centre at Norwood. Currently 350 construction workers are on site daily.
Redevelopment of the Misericordia Community Hospital Emergency Department. This $85-million project is supporting about 476 construction and related jobs and is anticipated to be complete in March 2023.
Planning for the expansion and redevelopment of the Red Deer Regional Hospital. Design work is anticipated to begin in early 2023 and more information will be shared soon.
In 2022, Alberta’s government continued to announce funding approvals through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) for projects in communities around Alberta. Through ICIP, Alberta has been allocated $3.66 billion by the federal government to invest in infrastructure projects that strengthen the economy and build resilient communities. To date, more than 200 projects and project bundles have been approved for ICIP funding in more than 30 Alberta constituencies, allocating about 99 per cent of the provided funding to date.
These federal-provincial-local cost-sharing ICIP projects mean the investment of about $9 billion worth of design and construction work.
B.C. officials are putting the brakes on a coal mining project in the province’s northeast.
Officials announced that an environmental assessment certificate will not be issued for the proposed Sukunka coal mine project following a joint decision by provincial ministers.
George Heyman, minister of environment and climate change strategy, and Josie Osborne, minister of energy, mines and low carbon innovation, stated that they made their decision after carefully considering the environmental assessment of the project conducted by B.C.’s Environmental Assessment Office (EAO). The assessment of the project proposed by Glencore involved consultation with technical experts, federal and local authorities, First Nations and the public.
According to Glencore, the project would have been a capital investment of $450 million.
Impact on wildlife
The EAO recommended a certificate not be issued after concluding that the key mitigation measures proposed would be unlikely to reduce the potential negative impacts of the project to an acceptable level.
The assessment found the project would have significant adverse and cumulative effects on the threatened and red-listed Quintette caribou herd, increasing the risk of its extinction. Following substantial discussions between Glencore, federal and provincial caribou experts, Treaty 8 First Nations and the EAO, the EAO concluded that even with proposed mitigation measures and requirements, impacts to caribou would be significant if the project were to proceed.
The EAO’s assessment additionally found that the project would have significant cumulative effects on grizzly bears, by adding to existing impacts from previous development in the region, as well as adverse impacts to First Nations, such as treaty rights to hunt.
No duplicate assessments
The project also requires a federal environmental assessment and decision. The B.C. EAO carried out the assessment on behalf of the federal government under a “substitution agreement.” This means the one assessment carried out by the EAO is used to support separate decisions by each level of government, eliminating the duplication of two assessments for a single project. The federal decision was also announced Dec. 21, 2022.
The Sukunka project was proposed by Glencore as an open-pit mining operation and coal processing plant about 55 kilometres south of Chetwynd and 40 kilometres west of Tumbler Ridge. The proposal was for production of approximately three megatonnes of metallurgical coal per year for export to overseas steel manufacturers over 22 years.
Someone is going on Santa’s naughty list for this one.
The North Vancouver RCMP are asking for the public’s help in locating an excavator stolen from a construction site located in 600 block of E 6th St. in North Vancouver, BC.
On Dec. 15th the owner of a 2018 John Deere 50G excavator called police to report his equipment was stolen from the construction site.
According to police, witnesses observed the excavator being loaded onto a flatbed and the thieves traveling eastbound in the laneway the night before at approximately 10:30 p.m.
The excavator is worth $50,000 and it is the third stolen excavator for the property owner in four years.
“The North Vancouver RCMP is asking for the public’s assistance in providing any information relating to this theft, specifically any CCTV, dash cam from the area or witnesses that may have observed the incident,” said officer Mansoor Sahak. “Someone may have observed this incident, not realizing that a theft was occurring.
Police urged the public to contact the North Vancouver RCMP at 604-985-1311 and quote file #22-30678. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
A drone shows the route of a major transit project in Metro Vancouver. – Broadway Subway Project
Take a good look at this 5.7 km route in Vancouver. It’s about to completely transform.
A drone flew the The Broadway Subway Project alignment, offering a sweeping overview of what’s to come.
The Broadway Subway Project, led by joint venture between ACCIONA and Ghella, will extend the Millennium Line from VCC-Clark Station to the future Broadway and Arbutus station, providing SkyTrain service along the Broadway corridor, home to B.C.’s second-largest jobs centre, world-class health-care services, an emerging innovation and research hub, and growing residential communities.
The project team recently launched the second of two state-of-the-art Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) November 29. Named Phyllis, after B.C. mountaineer Phyllis Munday, she will join Elsie, the first TBM, which was launched on Oct. 7 and is now well on her way to her first breakthrough at Mount Pleasant Station.
Each TBM will take about one year to carve out two five-kilometre-long tunnels before being dismantled and removed at Cypress Street near the future Arbutus Station. After tunneling is complete, work can begin on building tracks within the tunnels and finishing the six new stations along the route. Once in service, the Broadway Subway Project will create a seamless extension of the existing Millennium Line from VCC-Clark to Arbutus Street.
Planned construction activities for the next three months include:
About three quarters of the 21 columns on the elevated guideway between VCC-Clark Station and the future Great Northern Way-Emily Carr station are complete. Construction continuing on remaining columns.
Both TBMs, Phyllis and Elsie have been launched. Continuing to remove excavated material from both tunnels and installing remaining trailing gear on Phyllis at Great Northern Way-Emily Carr Station.
Completing the concrete base slab for the future Mount Pleasant Station.
Excavating the Broadway-City Hall, Oak-VGH, South Granville and Arbutus stations.
Completing the traffic decks for the Broadway-City Hall and Arbutus stations.
Finishing the relocation of major utilities at the Broadway-City Hall and Arbutus work sites.
The B.C. group is offering the reward for information about an attack on a Coastal GasLink LNG worksite in February. The ICBA has partnered with Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers, which will administer the reward and accept anonymous tips from anyone with information that will lead to arrests and charges.
Houston, B.C. RCMP say video footage shows approximately 20 masked individuals attacked nine security guards and construction workers, heavy equipment, and outbuildings in a premediated and coordinated nighttime assault by attackers with axes. In one case, a worker trapped inside a truck had his window smashed out by an axe.
Fires were set and heavy equipment was hijacked to batter other onsite equipment and shred trailers. Lights and video surveillance at the site had been disabled, a school bus was parked to block access in or out of the site and the Morice River Service Road was blocked by felled trees, fires and spikes.
No one was seriously injured but the attack caused millions of dollars in damaged equipment.
“The people working on this pipeline are highly trained and skilled and are building an incredible national legacy of which we can all be proud,” said Chris Gardner, ICBA president. “Their expertise and hard work should be upheld as an example of Canadian ingenuity and exceptionalism. They deserve no less than a full investigation and the assurance that the perpetrators of this attack will be held accountable and brought to justice. ICBA is proud to stand up for construction and energy workers and offer this reward.”
Crime Stoppers officials stressed that someone with knowledge of such a crime might fear retribution if they share information, but a tipster’s personal information is never collected.
“In the decades we’ve been in operation, we have never identified any of our tipsters,” said Linda Annis, executive director of Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers. “They are never contacted again by us or the police or have to testify in court. We encourage anyone to contact us about any crime, whether it’s relatively small in scope, or as costly and dangerous as this case.”
Anyone with information about the incident can contact Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or visit www.solvecrime.ca.
“This is a very troubling escalation in violent criminal activity that could have resulted in serious injury or death. This was a calculated and organized violent attack that left its victims shaken and a multimillion dollar path of destruction,” said Warren Brown, chief superintendent for Houston RCMP. “While we respect everyone’s right to peacefully protest in Canada, we cannot tolerate this type of extreme violence and intimidation. Our investigators will work tirelessly to identify the culprits and hold them accountable for their actions.”
Video: Vandals launch assault on Coastal GasLink LNG site
Key Takeaways:
The six-storey industrial project is using vertical space to make the most out of limited industrial land in Metro Vancouver.
The project includes a cafe, rooftop space, a dog area and more for businesses to mingle.
Before construction, the project team canvassed the community to make sure it would target local needs first.
The Whole Story:
An innovative project in Metro Vancouver isn’t just looking to add supply to the region’s tight industrial market. It wants to create a community.
Wesbild’s Marine landing, which broke ground this March, features two, six-storey stacked industrial and office buildings at 170,000 square feet each, with flexible strata workspaces ranging from 600 to 34,000 square feet. The smaller unit sizes provide appropriate floorplates for businesses with less need for physical square footage, but still require all the functionality and flexibility of a modern industrial space. The larger industrial units provide open-concept spaces ideal for businesses that need open areas and purpose-built industrial amenities.
“It accommodates industrial use vertically as opposed to horizontally,” explained Lilian Arishenkoff, senior VP of development for Wesbild. “That’s a new evolution in industrial spaces, primarily for urban areas. With land prices so high and vacancy so low, we have had to think of new ways to accommodate those needs. To get maximum density out of the site, we have gone upwards.”
The project is the first six-storey industrial project in Western Canada. But it’s not just about volume.
“Whatever we do – residential, commercial, mixed-use, industrial – there is a focus on creating community,” added Arishenkoff. “We put a lot of thought into what it will be like to live there and spend time there. Quite frankly, most of our time is spent at our place of business so we want to make a place where people are comfortable.”
Before developing the project, the team canvassed the surrounding area for several kilometres to see what sort of businesses might be looking for new space and if they would be interested in buying their own unit.
“We didn’t want to come in and be a development that brings in people from the outside,” said Arishenkoff. “We wanted to work with the existing community framework.”
Units have been sold to several local companies including a fishing lure manufacturer, dental crown manufacturer, an action figure importer and fashion wholesalers. Breka Bakery is also setting up a new commissary and 24/7 café at the project.
“We put a lot of effort into designing spaces and landscapes that provide opportunities for chance meetings, to rub shoulders with someone you may not have otherwise met or connected with,” said Arishenkoff.
The design features oversized elevators, extra-wide corridors, at-grade and dock loading areas, wide loading bays, spacious delivery facilities to make logistics easier with more than 50 oversized parking stalls, 395 regular sized parking stalls, including 42 EV charging stations, large flexible lounge space for meetings, events and socializing, a full kitchen and more. It’s also a six-minute walk to marine gateway shops, residences, and the Canada Line – an important feature for owners and employees who want to avoid Metro Vancouver’s car traffic, noted Arishenkoff.
The site currently has two cranes up and work is being done on footings and columns. Arishenkoff anticipates construction could be done near the end of 2024. She said that there are still units available in the second building. The greatest demand has been for the industrial units while office units have moved a bit slower. However, one of the office buyers is the building’s architect.
“I think that shows the high level of support and confidence there is in what we have designed here,” said Arishenkoff. “The purchasers are eclectic and it’s going to be really cool to have all these different people together. We will see how it plays out as this hasn’t been done before. We are hoping it’s going to be a really successful mix of folks.”
Photos: Renderings show the interior design of Marine Landing
