S P R I N G | S U M M E R 2 0 1 5

As a repeat client of Bird’s, the University of British Columbia now has a new student union building (SUB), the AMS Student Nest, sitting at the heart of its campus. Working on a constrained site, Bird built the five-storey, mixed-use building sandwiched between the existing SUB and the new alumni building while ensuring all deliveries were handled on a just-in-time basis.

Targeting LEED® Platinum certification, the building features a unique sawtooth roof of glulam trusses and cross laminated timber panels. A focal piece within the new building is the exposed wood nest that stands on three slender steel columns, making it appear to be floating two-storeys-high in the building. With numerous custom finishes, many materials had to be sent to site to be fitted and then sent back for shop finishing, including all of the wood soffits surrounding the nest.

Other exceptional features of this building include the glass staircase and the four-storey-high, boomerang-shaped glulam columns. Cantilevered off of the south side of the structure is the 743 m2 Great Hall, which is supported by one concrete structural V-column and consists of three steel trusses spanning two-storeys-high and weighing 50 to 80 tons each.

THE AMS STUDENT NESTAT UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA

LOCATION

Vancouver, BC

CLIENT

University of

British Columbia

Properties Trust

CONSULTANT

DIALOG

CONTRACT TYPE

Construction

Management

CONSTRUCTION VALUE

$90,000,000

PROJECT SIZE

20,900 m2

EAST RAIL MAINTENANCE FACILITYLOCATION

Whitby, ON

CLIENT Metrolinx &

Infrastructure Ontario

CONSULTANT Stantec Consulting Ltd.

CONTRACT TYPE Public-Private Partnership

CAPITAL COST $859,000,000

PROJECT SIZE 46,450 m2

PROJECT DURATION 33 months

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As part of the Muskrat Falls project, the Soldiers Pond site will be able to convert high-voltage direct current electricity for long-distance transmission to alternating current electricity for market on the island of Newfoundland. This project is part of the high-profile Labrador-Island Transmission link.

H.J. O’Connell (HJO), a division of Bird, was awarded the civil earthworks portion of the Soldiers Pond project. The scope of work included site grading and associated work for the new substation, consisting of a 230 kV AC switchyard, a 350 kV HVDC converter yard and a synchronous condenser facility. The major work items included approximately 240,822 m2 of clearing, 280,022 m2 of grubbing, bog and muskeg removal, 93,781 m3 of rock excavation, 520,787 m3 of common excavation, 498,755 m3 of fill placement and 84,436 m3 of rock drill and blast. A main site access road and 1,980 m temporary roads, as well a borrow pit with 10,353 m2 of riprap used to protect against erosion, were also completed.

During the project, HJO experienced more than double the expected rock excavation and blast quantities. To minimize the impact on the schedule, HJO assembled more equipment on-site to complete the work. Moreover, HJO’s rapport with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Local 1620, positively influenced the project as little to no downtime was experienced, allowing the project to be completed on schedule. Subsequently, HJO and Bird will work together on Phase 2, the construction of the synchronous condenser facility. HJO will complete all civil works related to building and equipment foundations, while Bird will complete structural steel, cladding and finishes.

LOCATION Soldiers Pond, NL

CLIENT Nalcor Energy

CONSULTANT SNC-Lavalin Inc.

CONTRACT TYPE Unit Price

CONSTRUCTION VALUE $28,300,000

PROJECT DURATION 9 months

SOLDIERS POND CIVIL EARTHWORKS

As the first Cabela’s retail store in Atlantic Canada, the facility features exposed glulam beams, cultured stone and Cabela’s custom colour aluminum framing and glazing. The interior of the store showcases a large quantity of speciality millwork, polished concrete floors, as well as a conservation mountain and other custom features that have defined Cabela’s retail stores throughout North America.

During the design phase, Bird was instrumental in delivering value engineering to decrease the overall cost of the project and to introduce the use of local building materials and practices. Two highlights of the value engineering items included the two-ply modified bitumen roofing system from a local supplier and the inclusion of structural precast systems. The new roofing system replaced the previous system and the structural precast was selected over the insulated concrete forms model that Cabela’s typically uses on their Canadian stores. Overall, the design changes improved the schedule and cost of the project, without affecting Cabela’s customer experience.

Bird phased the project and identified long lead items early to ensure nothing in the schedule interfered with production. During the early stages of the project, construction work progressed in tandem with the drawing development in order to further expedite the schedule to ensure the project’s successful delivery. Subsequently, Bird has been awarded another contract to build a new Cabela’s in Ottawa, ON.

Bird is the managing partner of the design-build joint venture with Peter Kiewit Infrastructure Co. and a minority equity partner in the concession for GO Transit’s East Rail Maintenance Facility. Targeting LEED Gold certification, the new facility will provide maintenance, repair and additional storage for the local rail transit system’s (GO Transit) planned service expansion. The scope of work includes 46,450 m2 of new construction consisting of progressive maintenance bays, coach maintenance shops, locomotive maintenance shops, paint booth, wheel shop, wash bays, fuel storage, a track maintenance building and over 16-kilometres of track.

Specialized vehicle servicing equipment includes drop tables, wheel profile and measuring, automatic wheel brake system and a wheel truing machine. All systems need to be closely coordinated with an extensive amount of under slab drainage pipe and process fluid systems along with other mechanical and electrical installations. There will also be wayside power systems to provide plug-in power for the trains after the engines have been shut down.

As a critical facility for transit expansion in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, substantial completion is anticipated for the end of 2017. The team is executing a fast-track schedule that will include the main building’s steel construction being expedited in five sequences. At the peak of design and construction, there will be over 50 project management staff involved, as well as approximately 1,000 workers on-site.

CABELA’S RETAIL STORE

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LOCATION Moncton, NB

CLIENT Cabela’s Retail Canada, Inc.

CONSULTANT Callison Global

CONTRACT TYPE Construction Management

CONSTRUCTION VALUE $13,200,000

PROJECT SIZE 4,650 m2

PROJECT DURATION 10 months

AIR PRODUCTS HYDROGEN PLANT CIVIL CONSTRUCTION

LOCATION Fort Saskatchewan, AB

CLIENT Air Products

Canada Limited

CONSULTANT Technip

CONTRACT TYPE Stipulated Sum

CONSTRUCTION VALUE $23,400,000

PROJECT SIZE 9,000 m3 concrete

PROJECT DURATION 10 months

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Bird has replaced the aging city hall in Camrose with a new four-storey concrete structure with an underground parkade. The facility features state-of-the-art council chambers, offices and a data centre for the town’s operations.

Flanked by high-voltage power lines and 200-year-old trees on three sides, Bird had limited access to the site and was left to use the main street for laydown space. Subsequently, scheduling deliveries and equipment placement were challenges. Successfully managing the structural steel erection on the first three storeys using traditional construction techniques, Bird relied on a spider crane to complete the structural steel to the restricted fourth floor.

With a raised floor design throughout the facility, Bird managed the complex installation of air supply, duct work, electrical and plumbing systems prior to floor installation. These systems required upfront strategic planning and execution to ensure the rest of the building’s intended layout fit into place.

Acoustical design considerations were critical for the council chambers to create a secure and sound attenuating environment. The extensive millwork panelling was installed with an acoustical dampening treatment that necessitated an intricate installation process.

LOCATION Camrose, AB

CLIENT The City of Camrose

CONSULTANT Manasc Isaac

Architects Ltd.

CONTRACT TYPE Stipulated Sum

CONSTRUCTION VALUE $14,100,000

PROJECT SIZE 3,585 m2

PROJECT DURATION 26 months

CAMROSE CITY HALL

The Nanuk Community Centre is a new facility providing various functions and recreational programs to support the Hopedale Inuit community. The building includes a large gymnasium, Elders room, fitness space, youth centre and lounge. Located just 30 metres from the sea, the facility has numerous windows with views across the bay, allowing all regularly occupied interior spaces to have access to daylight.

Due to the remote location of the northern Labrador community and the short construction season, Bird was challenged by the procurement and material delivery process. The team relied on two coastal marine vessels that service the North Coast of Labrador to receive shipments. With the limited capacity of the marine vessels, the community shipments took priority over construction materials and equipment. The subsequent logistical difficulties included not only limits to our monthly shipping capacity, which was dependent on the space left on the boats, but also a very narrow shipping season in this cold northern climate.

The project was completed in two phases: the earthworks and foundation were established in the fall and following the winter shut-down, the above grade work was completed. With the limited shipping season, the project team faced a tight procurement and construction schedule to achieve the goal of enclosing the building envelope before the next winter season. Successfully enclosing the building before the harsh winter weather, the team was able to continue the interior work through the winter months to deliver the project on schedule.

LOCATION Hopedale, NL

CLIENT Hopedale Inuit Community Government/NL Government

CONSULTANT Lat 49 Architects Inc.

CONTRACT TYPE Stipulated Sum

CONSTRUCTION VALUE $6,900,000

PROJECT SIZE 1,400 m2

PROJECT DURATION 19 months

NANUK COMMUNITY CENTRE

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Engaged early by Air Products for its new 153 million standard cubic feet per day hydrogen facility, Bird provided pre-construction services and completed all civil works including the installation of underground utilities and a large precast concrete sump. After the underground works were completed, Bird poured 23 large concrete foundations and numerous smaller concrete pads, the largest of which was 1,300 m3. The team also completed the earthworks and two ring roads for site access.

Working on an expedited civil schedule, the team poured approximately 9,000 m3 of concrete in six months during the winter. Bird’s expertise in civil construction allowed the team to offer value added options for construction, such as a precast sump and an alternate configuration that supported improvements to the schedule by reducing the depth of excavation and allowing site access earlier than the client anticipated.

Earlier this year, Bird’s team was recognized by Air Products for its superior safety performance during the fiscal year of 2014 with a safety excellence award. Notably, Bird worked more than 100,000 hours on this project without a recordable incident. As a repeat client of Bird’s, we look forward to continuing our relationship with Air Products and being part of its future challenging projects.

The Seven Oaks Arena is a new twin pad NHL-sized ice hockey arena equipped with a raised 350-seat spectator concourse in each arena, equipment storage areas, change rooms and a club room suite. The facility also includes a food court, administrative area and community amenities including an outdoor skate change area, meeting rooms, a walking track and a multi-purpose room.

Situated next to an old buried landfill, Bird had to fabricate an economical solution to eliminate possible gas infiltration into the building. Under these atypical circumstances, the team installed venting systems and trench blocks to encase the underground lines.

Construction carried through winter as all but one of the 35 exterior openings were sealed using highly insulated temporary enclosures. This allowed the entire building to be heated with far less than traditional fuel consumption, providing a cost savings to the owner of approximately $200,000 from the anticipated winter construction heating costs. Additionally, Bird spent three months prior to construction devising value engineering options, in which the team delivered additional savings in the form of alternate building materials and systems.

Seeking Green Globes certification, the facility uses strategies such as reclaiming heat from the ice plant and returning it into the building as needed, as well as in-floor heating lines. Throughout construction, Bird diverted over 79% of construction waste from landfills with more than 55 tons recycled.

SEVEN OAKS ARENALOCATION

Winnipeg, MB

CLIENT Garden City

Community Centre

CONSULTANT Stantec Architecture Ltd.

CONTRACT TYPE Stipulated Sum

CONSTRUCTION VALUE $16,300,000

PROJECT SIZE 9,500 m2

PROJECT DURATION 12 months

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Ken McClure is appointed to the position of Executive Vice President Commercial, leading the operations of Bird’s commercial and institutional business.

Matt Ainley is appointed to the role of Senior Vice President West, providing executive leadership to Winnipeg and Calgary district operations.

Durck deWinter is appointed to the role of Vice President Atlantic, assuming executive leadership responsibilities for the St. John’s, Halifax and Saint John districts.

Gilles Royer is appointed to the position of Executive Vice President Industrial, continuing his role as leader of Bird’s industrial business in Western Canada.

Charles Caza is appointed to the position of Senior Vice President Risk Management, General Counsel & Secretary, as he continues to lead our risk management team.

Bill Zister is appointed to the role of Toronto District Manager, managing and overseeing all aspects of the district including operations, safety initiatives and business development.

Jim Brennan is appointed to the position of Executive Vice President as he continues in his role as president of H.J. O’Connell, Limited.

Richard Ellis-Smith is appointed to the position of Vice President of Major Projects, while retaining executive responsibility for the Toronto district as he pursues major projects in

the institutional and commercial markets across the country.

Congratulations to each of these individuals as they embark on new challenges in their careers at Bird.

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

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As the second largest correctional facility in the province, the new Pictou County penitentiary has the capacity to hold up to 196 offenders. It is also the first direct supervision correctional facility in Atlantic Canada, allowing increased staff presence in offender living units. It features more than 200 closed-circuit TV cameras in and outside the building, six day rooms, a healthcare suite, electronic drug detection systems, offender classrooms and booths for court attendance by video-conference.

Bird employed concrete tilt-up construction panels for the facility, which created the necessity to devise a solution to improve the acoustics in the structure due to the abundance of concrete used. To help eliminate the echoing, an acoustic deck was created over the living units and heavy gauge perforated metal with sound absorption insulation were installed into the walls.

Targeting LEED Silver certification, the facility included the increased used of natural and recycled-content building materials. The facility will also optimize energy through the use of 50 geothermal wells and in-floor slab radiant heating systems that cannot be damaged by occupants. The extensive use of concrete in the eight-inch-thick floor slabs, walls and blocks also benefit the building’s energy profile by increasing its thermal capacity.

NORTHEAST CORRECTIONAL FACILITY

LOCATION Priestville, NS

CLIENT Department of Transportation & Infrastructure Renewal

CONSULTANT Stantec Consulting Ltd.

CONTRACT TYPE Stipulated Sum

CONSTRUCTION VALUE $32,500,000

PROJECT SIZE 7,400 m2

SAFETY HIGHLIGHTS & PROJECT AWARDSAt Bird we strive to continuously improve our safety program and performance, particularly in the areas of orientation, training and hazard identification, which study after study shows are the most critical to worker safety. Accordingly in 2014, we expanded the Construction Safety Training System that is used in the Alberta oil sector as a mandatory training requirement for all of our employees, regardless of their role or location within the organization.

Across the country there is a recognition and appreciation for our commitment to safe production. Every day we execute complex projects to exacting quality standards, on time and on budget. We do it well and importantly, we do it safely.

Our industrial sector has been awarded Cenovus’ Contractor Safety and Stewardship Award, Air Product’s Safety Excellence Award, Shell’s Key

Performance Indicator Milestone Achievement Award and Suncor’s 90-day Recognition for Safety Leadership Award.

Nova Scotia’s Construction Safety Association has also recognized Bird as the safest company in its jurisdiction, as well Dan Brown, safety manager for our Halifax operations has been award the James Spidell award for his ongoing commitment to occupational health and safety.

Bird’s project team on Imperial Oil’s Kearl Phase II project in northern Alberta has been recognized for its outstanding leadership in achieving mechanical completion. Imperial Oil presented the award as we turned over the maintenance shop expansion three weeks ahead of schedule.

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s t . a l b e r t tel 780.470.7100

e d m o n t o n tel 780.452.8770

c a l g a r y tel 403.319.0470

w i n n i p e g tel 204.775.7141

t o r o n t o tel 905.602.4122

w a b u s h tel 709.282.5633

m o n t r e a l tel 514.426.1333

s a i n t j o h n tel 506.849.2473

h a l i f a x tel 902.835.8205

st. john’s hjo tel 709.726.9095

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.

Let us know what you think of this newsletter. Drop us a line at: comments.birdnewsletter@bird.ca

v a n c o u v e r tel 604.271.4600

25 YEAR CLUB COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENTBird’s 25 Year Club welcomed its 180th

member, Ben Chae. Ben joined the Toronto district in 1990 as a site supervisor and quickly established himself as a highly capable site manager. A valuable resource in the Toronto district, he was often assigned to projects with challenging schedules as he had an exceptional track

record of successfully delivering projects on time and often with high praise from the clients.

On April 15 during an evening celebration with his family, friends and colleagues, Ben delivered a speech of his own to the crowd. While he thanked many people that supported him during his career at Bird, he also offered sound advice to the next generation of Bird employees. He said, “Give 125% effort and when you do, everyone on the team will as well — this will make you a winner and continue to make Bird a success.”

To Ben, we thank and congratulate you for your 25 years of service at Bird and wish you the best as you begin your well-deserved retirement.

st. john’s bird tel 709.579.4747

RECENT AWARDS ONGOING PROJECTSEast Rail Maintenance Facility

Whitby, ON

Hamilton Transit Centre Richmond, BC

$66 million

Fort McMurray Schools Package Fort McMurray, AB

$52 million

Casey House Hospice Toronto, ON $32 million

Fort Hills Utilities & Offsites Fort McMurray, AB

Soldiers Pond Synchronous Condenser Facilities

Soldiers Pond, NL

Torbay Grades 5-7 School Torbay, NL $20 million

Winnipeg Soccer Federation North Complex

Winnipeg, MB $20 million

Guysborough Memorial Hospital Guysborough, NS

$5 million

Poley Mountain Lodge Waterford, NB

$4 million

Canon Canada Headquarters Brampton, ON

North West Redwater Refinery Redwater, AB $58 million

Langara College Science & Technology Building

Vancouver, BC $42 million

Front Street Medical Building Calgary, AB $31 million

Loch Lomond Villa Phase 2 Saint John, NB

$18 million

Dalhousie University Collaborative Health Education Building

Halifax, NS $17 million

Illusuak Cultural Centre Nain, NL

$12 million

FedEx Freight Terminal Winnipeg, MB

$8 million

Iron Ore Company of Canada Wall Scaling

Labrador City, NL $2 million

Cenovus Elk & Martins Water Treatment Plant Upgrades

Near Lac La Biche, AB $1.5 million

The Construction Institute of Canada (TCIC) Simulated Student Bid Competition had a strong showing this year with 60 teams participating. The yearly student bid competition challenges third- and fourth-year engineering students from across Canada to understand the real life challenges associated with construction bidding and the estimating process.

Bird project coordinator, Jonathan Matthews (photographed top right with mentees, Stephanie Gillis, Zachary Butt and Greg Scott), a veteran of the competition served as a mentor this year for the Nova Scotia Community College in Halifax and was awarded TCIC’s Esteemed Mentor Award for his efforts. Regarding his experience as a mentor, he says, “It gave me the chance to see some fresh ideas, review estimating practices and meet new people, who I’m sure I’ll see again in the industry.” Bird’s Compton Cho, estimating director, and Daniel Marchetti, estimator, were also part of the competition this year serving on the executive committee as industry partners.