FA L L | W I N T E R
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FORT HILLS INFRASTRUCTURE BLOCK LOCATION Fort McMurray Area, AB CLIENT Fort Hills Energy Limited Partnership CONSULTANTS Capital Engineering, Associated Engineering, Sahuri + Partners Architecture Inc., AECOM & Hartwig CONTRACT TYPE Design-Build PROJECT SIZE 45,600 m2 PROJECT DURATION 34 months
Fort Hills Energy Partnership contracted Bird for the design and construction of the complete mine infrastructure block including services, utilities and 13 industrial buildings. Bird progressively commissioned and turned over the 13 buildings, reaching substantial completion at the end of October 2016. The overall project schedule was aggressive and in order to ensure timely completion, three distinct project teams were created to allow concurrent construction while minimizing interfaces. To date, Bird has completed over one million safe work hours and 420 days without an incident. This project is the largest lump sum infrastructure contract for Suncor. Under this contract, Bird has implemented numerous programs and refined our systems to support Suncor’s business objectives. Bird performed a number of productivity initiatives as part of this project, including “Productivity Play of the Day” — each day, Bird’s team discussed ways to improve productivity on the project. This helped keep productivity at the forefront and led to the integration of a number of simple, but effective productivity measures.
MONCTON DOWNTOWN CENTRE LOCATION Moncton, NB CLIENT City of Moncton CONSULTANT Stantec CONTRACT TYPE Design-Build-Finance CONSTRUCTION VALUE $91,500,000 PROJECT SIZE 23,000 m2 PROJECT DURATION 28 months
Bird has been contracted to design, build and short-term finance the Moncton Downtown Centre. The facility will include a single NHL-sized ice surface with more than 8,500 permanent seats. The arena will likely be the future home of a Quebec Major Junior Hockey League team. In order to accommodate other events, the design includes the flexibility to reconfigure the space. Featuring a multi-use plaza with an outdoor skating rink, indoor amenities include a club lounge and private boxes. The plaza will provide entertainment for the community throughout the year with public art, seating, concessions, outdoor concerts, and other sports and entertainment events. As the Bird team works through the fall months, current construction activities include structural steel framing and erecting the 7,500 m2 bowl roof, as well as installation of 300 precast bleacher pieces and roof trusses up to 69 metres in length and weighing 70 tonnes. To date, 2,000 tonnes of steel have been erected and 33 contracts have been awarded to various trades, of which 30 are local to New Brunswick. With over 100 people working on-site daily, the project is currently on schedule and slated for substantial completion on July 1, 2018.
WSF GARDEN CITY SOCCER COMPLEX LOCATION Winnipeg, MB CLIENT Winnipeg Soccer Federation CONSULTANT Stantec CONTRACT TYPE Stipulated Sum CONSTRUCTION VALUE $20,600,000 PROJECT SIZE 15,330 m2 PROJECT DURATION 15 months
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CANON CANADA HEADQUARTERS LOCATION Brampton, ON CLIENT Canon Canada Inc. CONSULTANT Moriyama & Teshima Architects CONTRACT TYPE Stipulated Sum CONSTRUCTION VALUE $67,200,000 PROJECT SIZE 16,720 m2
Canon has replaced their current Canadian corporate headquarters with a new five storey, state-of-the-art sustainable facility. The building is a cast-in-place concrete structure wrapped in white curtain wall with vertical fins of fritted glass as it appears to float above its recessed base of black granite. With high-end finishes and an acute sensitivity to building element relationships and alignments, months of coordination of site and building staff was required to maintain the design integrity. Throughout the building, the alignment of drywall bulkheads and ceilings to interior columns, and interior light fixtures to curtain wall mullions, required the utmost precision to be delivered successfully. Targeting LEED Gold certification, sustainable features include increased natural light access and rain water reclamation. The interior features a large showroom with a central atrium spanning all levels. Additional features include diagnostic and repair laboratories, cafeteria, fitness centre, two-tiered terrace, below-grade and surface parking. Modular raised flooring provides quick access to all mechanical and electrical services, allowing altering of the layout as needed. As the second project for Winnipeg Soccer Federation (WSF), Bird has completed the new expansion to the Garden City Community Centre, including a new 11,150 m2 FIFA-certified indoor soccer pitch. In 2008, Bird completed WSF’s soccer south complex. The new facility features locker rooms, standing and seated viewing areas, a restaurant/concession area, offices, seminar rooms and a pro shop. By way of two motorized drop curtains, the indoor field can be divided into four smaller fields to better accommodate the community’s needs. Bird provided pre-construction services, working closely with the architect, owner and other key stakeholders. It took a mere four months to bring the project to tender, and the construction process included a few challenges that Bird was well-equipped to handle. Adjacent to a former landfill, remediation through trench excavation and soils replacement was required to prevent any ingress of gases into the new building. Underground services were specially sealed to eliminate any methane leakage and the Bird team also created vent ports at different areas of the facility for continued methane testing. Cost savings were achieved throughout the construction process, including the shift to a LED lighting scheme at the play area. The building is also targeting Green Globe certification and Power Smart designation from Manitoba Hydro, as part of the Manitoba Green Building Program. 3
MONT-WRIGHT TAILINGS CONFINEMENT LOCATION Mont-Wright, QC CLIENT ArcelorMittal CONSULTANT AMEC CONTRACT TYPE Unit Price PROJECT SIZE 250,000 to 600,000 m3 of material PROJECT DURATION Ongoing
Since 1981, H.J. O’Connell, a subsidiary of Bird, has worked on the construction and raising of dams and dykes at the tailings confinement park in Mont-Wright for ArcelorMittal. Designed to contain the waste product (tailings) produced in the transformation of iron ore to iron concentrate, the construction of these structures involves the placement of up to 10 different types of material, with annual total volumes ranging from 250,000 to 600,000 m3 depending on the construction program each year. In 2015, O’Connell implemented GPS technology on its fleet of construction equipment and continues to successfully employ this technology at Mont-Wright. GPS technology provides visual aids on screen to assist operators with material placement or in an automated system, it controls the equipment to place material in the most efficient configuration. With the recent decline in iron ore and other base metals prices, mining companies and their contractors are motivated to reduce costs. In an effort to improve efficiency and affordability, a GPS-equipped Komatsu D61x bulldozer was used this year as the primary material placement tool. This technology has been an unprecedented success for the project by surpassing production records and improving material placement, while reducing rework. The successful adoption of this technology has allowed O’Connell to be more efficient, a necessary attribute in the ultra-competitive mining environment.
LANGARA COLLEGE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY BUILDING LOCATION Vancouver, BC CLIENT Langara College CONSULTANT Teeple Architects & Proscenium Architecture & Interiors CONTRACT TYPE Construction Management CONSTRUCTION VALUE $44,000,000 PROJECT SIZE 12,100 m2 PROJECT DURATION 27 months
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QUARRY PARK (REMINGTON YMCA) RECREATION FACILITY LOCATION Calgary, AB CLIENT City of Calgary CONSULTANT GEC Architecture CONTRACT TYPE Stipulated Sum CONSTRUCTION VALUE $44,200,000 PROJECT SIZE 9,570 m2 DURATION OF PROJECT 25 months
The new facility is home to the Remington YMCA and includes a fitness centre, running track, gym, 25-metre lap and leisure pool, multi-purpose rooms, as well as a childcare space and a Calgary Public Library branch. Leveraging its BIM capabilities on the project, Bird conducted multiple tours at the active construction site for large groups of industry professionals to highlight the benefits of using 3D models, while showcasing our use of technology for the benefit of the facility. Targeting LEED Gold certification, the project consist of high-end finishes including composite panels, interior wood glulam beams and columns and a large curtain wall without horizontal mullions in the natatorium — the first of its kind in the world. Finding an alternative to established building systems was critical to maintain the design integrity since horizontal mullions would cause disruptions to the airflow system’s ability to keep the curtain wall condensation-free. Four months before completion, the Calgary Public Library modified their programs and the library design. Bird worked hard to accommodate this change and while challenging, the turnover date was reached. With over 35 projects successfully completed for the city, Bird looks forward to building Calgary as the project team transitions to the new city-owned $127 million Seton Recreation Facility. The new five-storey building houses specialized facilities for biology, chemistry, physics, astronomy, nursing, kinesiology and computing science labs, as well as a lecture hall, multi-purpose classrooms, study spaces, offices and the new registrar’s office. Targeting LEED Gold, the new facility incorporates green building features such as reflective and green roofs and use of local sustainable building materials. The building is connected at the southeast corner via a parkade to the existing library that was also built by Bird. Featuring Thermenex, a revolutionary hydronic energy exchange system, the facility produces minimal greenhouse gas emissions from heating and cooling, reclaiming thermal energy and directing it to areas where required. This system has provided a total of 17 of the 19 achieveable energy points towards LEED Gold. As the new revitalized entrance to the Langara Campus, the building features a dramatic 16-metre cantilevered structural steel section. To construct this complex design, Bird provided value engineering analysis to decrease the overall cost of the project by 12% to meet the client’s budget. The cantilevered section was constructed using temporary columns until all of the structural steel was able to be connected. Once complete, Bird was able remove the columns and pour the concrete on the cantilevered areas. This was performed in a detailed sequence, so as to not overload the structure. 5
FORT HILLS RIVER WATER INTAKE (RWI) & RAW WATER (RW) PUMP HOUSES LOCATION Fort McMurray, AB CLIENT Fort Hills Energy Limited Partnership CONTRACT TYPE Stipulated Sum PROJECT SIZE RWP building area: 564m2 Volume of intake: 5,500m3/hr RWI building area: 869m2 Volume of intake: 11,100m3/hr PROJECT DURATION 16 months
The construction of the pump houses included: structural framing and miscellaneous steel fabrication, as well as installation of security and HVAC systems, fibre optics for telecom, bridge cranes, vertical turbine pumps, E-houses, above and underground piping and a surge vessel. Electrical scope included grounding and heat tracing. Pre-commissioning activities were completed for each system as part of the phased turnover of the facilities. Bird self-performed all mechanical scopes for this project, and completed the installation and connection of two prefabricated buildings. The scope of work also consisted of the installation of 600 m of 76 cm carbon steel pipe and 422 m of 20 cm HDPE pipe, as well as cathodic protection. Bird’s insight into the Fort Hills soil conditions, due to our previous work on the site, allowed the team to propose value engineered solutions as part of our execution approach. This included the installation of trenches with compact gravel fill and a perforated drain pipe to continuously dewater the trenches throughout construction. The team also executed the removal of the temporary work bridge including crane mats, timber bridge deck and rails, steel girders, double pile caps and cross bracing, piles, sheet piles and walers. Bird’s progressive turnover approach and collaboration with Fort Hills EP positioned the team well for streamlined completion of the job.
ABORIGINAL RELATIONS & ACCOLADES their career development and growth as they attend postsecondary education.
Our company role and reputation as a partner and participant in the communities in which we live and work span topics as diverse as aboriginal relations, workforce diversity, environmental stewardship, responsible sourcing and more. H.J. O’Connell Construction (HJOC), a Bird company, has been designated bronze level certification by the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business in its Progressive Aboriginal Relations (PAR) Program.
Scholarship applications are accepted from students, who are either currently enrolled in a full-time post-secondary institution or students in Grade 12 who are planning to attend a full-time post-secondary education institution, that are of Aboriginal descent (First Nations, Métis or Inuit). Students pursuing an education in the technology and trades are considered priority applicants.
HJOC has been commended by the PAR jury for its participation and commitment in the Aboriginal community and believes the company is a best-practices organization in the field of Aboriginal relationships. Formed to promote the importance of positive relationships and partnerships with Aboriginal communities and businesses.
HJOC participated in National Aboriginal Day (June 21) celebrations in the best possible way — receiving a plaque from our client, Emera. Our project team at Maritime Link Project’s breakwater and grounding site at Indian Head near Stephenville Crossing, NL was recognized for its efforts and success in hiring Aboriginal workers.
This fall, HJOC awarded two recipients with their Aboriginal Scholarship, each valued at $1,500, designed to assist and support the Indigenous people of Canada with
Bird’s Paul Raboud has been recognized by the Ontario General Contractors Association (OGCA) for his integrity with the construction industry. Paul is the recipient of this year’s 6
ST. FX UNIVERSITY MOUNT SAINT BERNARD LOCATION Antigonish, NS CLIENT St. Francis Xavier University CONSULTANT Harvey Architecture CONTRACT TYPE Design-Build CONSTRUCTION VALUE $12,500,000 PROJECT SIZE 11,500 m2 DURATION OF PROJECT 8 months
As a repeat client for Bird, the team returned to the St. Francis Xavier University campus to complete a renovation project at the Mount Saint Bernard residence and nursing school facility, which consists of five inter-connected buildings. The scope included refurbishment to the student residence rooms, study spaces, offices and classrooms. Bird also constructed a new 600 m2 state-of-the-art nursing simulation lab. Two new elevators were also installed within the existing building to improve accessibility. The team completed exterior restoration including redesign of the primary entrances and façade to replicate the neoclassical architecture throughout the campus. Landscape improvements to the facility created outdoor study spaces, colonnades and circulation walkways to and from the campus. From the onset of the project, virtual design and construction tools were used to recreate as-built models for the five buildings. The use of BIM software, 3D scanning and software (which was used by Bird, the architect and structural engineers to allow real-time updates for design changes) ensured the project’s timely completion, despite the challenging timeline.
Chairman’s Award of Recognition. The award was created in 1990 to honour individuals who have been affiliated with the association and have made an outstanding contribution to the general contracting industry, specifically the OGCA. After hearing from organization members that Bird may have an unfair advantage on a bid, Paul along with senior leadership at Bird decided to forgo the opportunity in order to support the OGCA. Bird Toronto has received the Ontario General Contractors Association’s Distinguished Achievements in Health and Safety for achieving the industry best, zero injury frequency for 250,881 man hours completed. The team looks forward to concluding 2016 as another safe year. Bird Vancouver has been awarded the Vancouver Regional Construction Association’s Awards of Excellence Gold Award in the General Contractor Over $45 Million category for their work on the University of British Columbia’s Student Union Building in Vancouver, BC. 7
PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT Committed to helping the communities we serve, Bird employees from across the country donated nearly $40k to the Red Cross Alberta Fire Emergency Relief Fund. These donations were matched by Bird, as well as federal and provincial government programs, significantly multiplying their impact on the community. Combined with additional company donations and actual boots on the ground efforts helping to restore the reservoirs within the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo potable water systems and wastewater systems, Bird and our employees have been proud contributors to ongoing community relief and rebuild efforts.
The company is pleased to announce the appointment and relocation of Paul Bergman to Bird’s head office in Toronto as Senior Vice President. Retaining executive responsibility for the Winnipeg district, Paul will assume the leadership of two of our new operational initiatives as we look to generate new business opportunities in both the Indigenous and environmental market sectors.
Bird was a 1st Overall level sponsor for the Jordan Boyd Celebrity Hockey Challenge, contributing $10k to the cause. The event was established in 2014 to celebrate the life of Jordan Boyd. It is a one-day tournament at the BMO Centre in Bedford, NS, where six teams compete for the coveted Boyd’s Cup. One hundred per cent of all net proceeds are designated to the inherited heart disease research for early detection through the QEII Foundation, as well as the Heart & Stroke Foundation for local research at the QEII’s Inherited Heart Disease Clinic.
Joining Bird after graduating from Red River College, Paul brings over 15 years of experience working in institutional, commercial and industrial sectors in the construction industry. He has held numerous positions at Bird in both the Winnipeg and Edmonton district offices, including estimator, project manager, production manager and district manager. We are confident in Paul’s skills and abilities to rise to this new challenge.
Canada BIM Council hosted its second regional session in Halifax in June. This included a CanBIM members site tour of our ProCycle project in Dartmouth, NS. For this project we used BIM during the design and pre-construction phases as collaboration and coordination tools. We also piloted BIM 360 Field, a field management software for 2D and 3D environments that combines mobile technologies at the construction site with cloud-based collaboration and reporting.
RECENT AWARDS
ONGOING PROJECTS
William Osler Health System Ancillary Services Building
Eastern Passage High School
Toronto, ON
Eastern Passage, NS $18 million
Rocky View County Hall
MacKenzie Lift Station Upgrade
Balzac, AB $23 million
Dalhousie University Fitness Centre Halifax, NS $18 million
University of British Columbia Indian Residential School History & Dialogue Centre Vancouver, BC
Seton Recreation Centre Calgary, AB $127 million
South of Anzac, AB
KIP Condominium Phase 1
Fort McMurray, AB
Rainy River Project: Advanced Gold Project
Fort Hills OPP Civil Works
Toronto, ON
Fort McMurray, AB
New IKEA Store
Westbrook Centre Renovations
Rainy River, ON
Halifax, NS
Fire Lake Railway Extension
Kelowna Police Services Building
Fermont, QC
Enbridge Wood Buffalo Extension General Works
Calgary, AB
Bridgwater Centre Commercial Development
Brookside Multi-Tenant Industrial Building
Kelowna, BC $48 million
Quispamsis Medical Clinic
Iron Ore Company Bulk Fuel Delivery
Kings Valley Church Renovation
Labrador City, NL
Quispamsis, NB
Winnipeg, MB
Quispamsis, NB
Winnipeg, MB
Bird Construction is a leading general contractor in Canada with offices coast to coast and has been providing construction services to a long list of new and repeat clients for decades. The company also provides pre-construction services and has acted as a key member on many public-private partnerships. With its wide scope, Bird’s clients include pre-eminent firms in the commercial, institutional, retail, multi-tenant residential, industrial, mining, water and wastewater, energy and civil sectors.
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