New BCIT construction dean appointed

The British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) has appointed Dr. Guido Wimmers as the new dean of the BCIT School of Construction and the Environment (SOCE). He will take over from Wayne Hand, who has been dean since 2015.

In this role, Wimmers will lead the team of faculty and staff across the school’s full-time and flexible learning programs, while also providing critical support in ensuring academic excellence and innovating to build an agile workforce.

Wimmers earned his Ph.D. from the Doctoral Program in Engineering Science and a Master’s degree in Architectural Engineering from Leopold Franzens University in Innsbruck, Austria. He brings extensive industry leadership in the field of sustainable construction practices.

Prior to moving to Canada in 2007, Wimmers collaborated with multi-disciplinary teams across Austria, Germany, and Italy, focusing on energy-efficient and sustainable building projects. In B.C., he played an instrumental role in the implementation of the International Passive House Standards in B.C. and across Canada.

Wimmer’s distinguished career led him to a tenured professorship at the University of Northern British Columbia where, in 2014, he assumed the role of inaugural chair of a novel Master of Engineering Program in Timber Engineering. Under his leadership, an interdisciplinary curriculum emerged that seamlessly integrated modern timber engineering, building physics, prefabrication principles, and practical project experience. In addition, he was pivotal in the design and construction of the Wood Innovation Research Laboratory, which allowed for the testing of large-scale integrated wood structures using engineered wood products.

Wimmer has previously served as a consultant for the City of Vancouver, and the BC Construction Association’s Construction Innovation Committee.

Cintas Canada names winner of Canada’s Best Restroom Contest

Cintas Canada, Ltd. proudly announced Hard Bean Brunch Co. in Port Moody, British Columbia as the winner of the 2023 Canada’s Best Restroom contest. Hard Bean Brunch Co. will receive $2,500 in Cintas products and services to help maintain their award-winning washrooms.

Now in its 14^th year, Cintas’ nationwide contest highlights businesses that have invested in developing and maintaining exceptional washrooms that are accessible to the public.

“Winning the title of Canada’s Best Restroom is truly an honour,” said Heather Rhodes, CEO, Hard Bean Brunch Co. “We take pride in our washrooms and we’re glad to see the public does too. We’re grateful to Cintas, the Port Moody community and our customers for their overwhelming support.”

The washrooms at Hard Bean Brunch Co. feature fully enclosed stalls framed in bright yellow trim with matching signature yellow doors. The walls are painted navy blue with sleek, black or white tile sitting below fun palm leaf wallpaper. Each stall is equipped with a sink and LED backlit mirror.

“Thousands of votes for this year’s five finalists poured in from across the country, demonstrating peoples’ appreciation for clean and memorable washroom facilities,” said Candice Raynsford, Marketing Manager, Cintas Canada. “Thanks to the public’s support, we’re proud to award Hard Bean Brunch Co. with the title of Canada’s Best Restroom.”

Hard Bean Brunch Co. promoted the contest on their social media profiles. They also displayed mirror clings provided by Cintas which included a QR code for voting.

Nominees for this year’s contest were judged on five criteria: cleanliness, visual appeal, innovation, functionality and unique design elements. Online voting was open to the public June 5 through July 7. The other finalists (in alphabetical order) included:

Forest Pavilion Washrooms (Winnipeg, Manitoba)
The Big Apple (Colborne, Ontario)
The Gathering Place Washrooms (Vancouver, British Columbia)
Yesterday’s Auto Gallery (Edmonton, Alberta)

For more information about the Canada’s Best Restroom contest or to receive a copy of the contest rules, contact Christina Alvarez at [email protected] or 708-908-0898.

Toronto data centres dealt to Japanese telco

Allied Properties Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) has completed the sale of its Toronto data centres to the Japanese telecommunications company, KDDI Corporation. The CAD $1.35 billion deal involves three downtown properties at 905 King Street West, 151 Front Street West and 250 Front Street West and strengthens KDDI’s presence in North America.

The company, which has now established the Canadian subsidiary, KDDI Canada Inc., is targeting a larger share of the global interconnection data centre market in facilities that provide synergistic space for content providers, cloud services and telecommunications carriers. KDDI currently owns and operates interconnection data centres in London and Paris, and opened a new data centre in Bangkok earlier this year.

“Through this agreement, the company will acquire Canada’s top interconnection data centre and strengthen its data centre business in North America to promote its business on a global scale,” states a release from KDDI Corporation.

Allied plans to use about $1 billion of the proceeds for various loan repayments with the balance tapped for “development and upgrade activity” throughout 2023 and 2024. There will also be a special distribution to unitholders of record as of December 31, 2023.

In announcing the recent completion of the transaction, the REIT underscores that the deal does not include its 2.5-acre downtown Toronto site at 20 York Street, which is zoned for 1.3 million square feet of urban workspace. The REIT’s statement also confirms that it is nearing the completion of a large-scale, multi-year development and upgrade program and does not plan any subsequent activity in the near term.

“The sale of the (data centre) portfolio enables Allied to reaffirm its mission and to pursue continued growth in NOI and IFRS value in a more focused and prudent manner, “ it maintains. “Allied has a favourable debt-maturity schedule and an unencumbered, income-producing portfolio valued in excess of $8.4 billion.”

Ontario expands strong mayor powers to 21 municipalities

The Ontario government announced it is expanding ‘strong mayor’ powers to 21 municipalities projected to have populations of 50,000 by 2031 and whose heads of council are committed to a provincially assigned housing target. Launched in 2022, Strong mayor powers offer tools to help heads of council cut red tape and speed up the delivery of key shared municipal-provincial priorities such as housing, transit and infrastructure in their municipalities.

The expansion will take effect on October 31, 2023, making these new additions eligible for funding through the ‘Building Faster Fund‘, a three-year, $1.2 billion program to support municipalities that are on track to meet 2032 provincial housing targets. Those that reach 80 per cent of their annual target per year will become eligible for funding based on their share of the overall goal of 1.5 million homes. Municipalities that exceed their target will receive a bonus on top of their allocation.

“With these new measures, we’re supporting municipalities and giving them the tools they need to build more homes faster to tackle the affordability crisis that’s pricing too many people, especially young families and newcomers, out of the dream of home ownership,” said Premier Doug Ford. “We have two choices: We can sit back and ignore the crisis, or we can build more homes. Our government is choosing to build homes.”

According to the backgrounder, funding from the Building Faster Fund can be directed toward housing-enabling infrastructure and other related costs that support community growth. Eligible expenses will be determined following consultations between the province, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, the City of Toronto and the Housing Supply Action Plan Implementation Team. A portion of the overall funding will also be allocated to single and lower tier municipalities that have not been assigned a housing target, including small, rural and northern communities, in order to address their unique needs, following municipal consultations.

“There is an urgent need to get more homes built quickly across Ontario,” said Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Steve Clark. “By providing additional financial resources to our municipal partners as well as strong mayor powers to help speed up the approvals process, our government is acting decisively to tackle Ontario’s housing supply crisis and build the homes our residents need and deserve.”

The 29 municipalities assigned housing targets in 2022 and the 21 municipalities with newly assigned housing targets represent more than 88 per cent of the provincial target of 1.5 million homes. In 2022, the Ontario government said it saw the second-highest number of housing starts since 1988, with just over 96,000 new homes. Ontario also broke ground on nearly 15,000 new purpose-built rentals, the highest number ever on record.

Construction demand in Calgary remains strong

Construction demand remains strong in Calgary. The city received 8,206 residential building permit applications in the first six months of 2023, as well as 1,686 non-residential building permit applications.

Year-over-year, building permit applications were seven per cent lower than last year but construction value increased by 13 per cent with January to June at $2.98 billion compared to January to June 2022 at $2.63 billion.

“The values we are seeing are a promising indication that developers are committed to building more homes for Calgarians, both those living here today and the many thousands we expect to welcome in coming years,” said Stuart Dalgleish, general manager of planning & development services. “While our permit volumes are slightly lower than the previous year, the notable uptick in construction value highlights the quality and scale of projects being built.”

From April to June of 2023, Calgary builders and developers submitted 1,533 single construction, 309 multi-residential and 1,273 commercial/multi-family building permits. Proposals to redesignate land also saw an increase of 55 per cent over the same period last year, with 90 applications submitted.

“Multi-residential applications outpaced single and semi-detached applications this quarter, highlighting the changing housing needs and preferences of Calgarians. While we still have a long way to go to meet the challenge of providing more affordable homes for everyone, we continue to make progress on providing more housing choices to support Calgarians at different stages in their lives,” said Dalgleish.

In April, five more downtown office-to-residential conversion projects received funding. The goal of these projects is to provide homes for more than 1,000 Calgarians, eliminate 500,000 square feet of unneeded office space and improve the vibrancy of our downtown.

Some of the top construction projects in Calgary completed were:

Project Violin, a 1.2-million-square-foot Amazon warehouse facility located in the East Shepard Industrial Park, valued at $131 million.
Sofina Foods Inc., a new poultry facility in East Shepard Industrial Park, valued at $75 million.
3Minto Era Condominiums, a 13-storey, multi-residential building providing 186 units in the community of Crescent Heights, valued at $43 million.

New Squamish campus for Capilano University

Capilano University is planning a new campus in Squamish with a a $48-million investment from the B.C. government.

Capilano University has bought the former Quest University campus with an investment of $63.2 million after the private institution closed in April 2023. The newest public post-secondary education campus in the province will serve approximately 100 students when it opens in spring 2024 and is expected to serve more than 380 students in later years.

“The Sea-to-Sky region is growing quickly,” said Selina Robinson, minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills. “Capilano University’s purchase of the former Quest University campus in Squamish will provide post-secondary education opportunities closer to home for people living in the area, which is fantastic news for local high school students and those who want to go to university at any age from the Squamish, Whistler and surrounding areas.”

The campus property is 18 acres and includes 12,234 square metres (131,684 square feet) of existing university infrastructure. Built in 2007, the campus provides prospects for collaborative partnerships and future growth. The turn-key ready campus includes an academic building, library, cafeteria, recreational and athletic facilities, an all-weather sports field and two large parking lots.

“As a university that serves Vancouver’s North Shore, the Sunshine Coast and the Sea-to-Sky region, we look forward to delivering new opportunities for learners in Squamish to pursue post-secondary studies,” said Paul Dangerfield, president, Capilano University.

The university is partnering with local First Nations communities to define program priorities and to co-create specific First Nations programs that enhance Indigenous learner participation.

Starting in spring 2024, the new campus will serve students studying early childhood care and education (ECCE) and literacy programming, followed by arts, science and business programs, as well as outdoor recreation and programming with the Squamish and Lil’wat Nations in September 2024.

In addition, Capilano University will be exploring options for operating a new 74-space child care centre on campus property. Minor renovations will include upgrading some classrooms for the university’s specific programming needs.

Industry pact supports upskilling amid green building transition

Industry leaders IFMA EMEA, EU.BAC and REHVA have launched a new agreement that focuses on upskilling and reskilling workers amid green building transitions across the European Union.

The Pact for Skills for Sustainable Facilities targets training for building operations and maintenance as the EU develops a road map to achieve energy and sustainability goals.

Operations and maintenance account for more than 85 per cent of a building’s cost over its useful life. It is during the operational phase of a building’s life cycle when energy savings are achieved and sustained. As demand for built environment efficiency evolves, so too does the skill set required to operate and optimize facilities and the systems that support them.

“Continuing education has always been important to building sector professionals; but even more so now amid rapidly advancing technologies, elevated focus on occupant well-being and a global urgency to reduce buildings’ environmental impact,” Managing Director of IFMA EMEA Lara Paemen said in a statement. “Knowledge and skills requirements are expanding for all professionals who design, construct, manage and maintain the built environment.

“Ensuring the industries we represent have the training, resources and workforce necessary to meet increasing demands for sustainable operations takes a collaborative effort between organizations dedicated to achieving the same goals.”

The Pact for Skills for Sustainable Facilities will enhance:

Continuous improvement of skills and knowledge: The signatories commit to continuous learning and improving the skills and knowledge of sustainable operations professionals through ongoing education, certification and training.
Awareness about the role of building operations in achieving designs for performance.
Development of Pan-European resources to upskill professionals currently working in the building environment.

The European Commission’s Pact for Skills, one of the flagship actions of the European Skills Agenda, can be accessed here: pact-for-skills.ec.europa.eu/index_en.

B.C. wildfires force thousands to evacuate

B.C. is currently in the midst of the worst wildfire season in history, with more than 1.4 million hectares of land already lost to wildfires that have wreaked havoc across the province. With upcoming weather conditions expected to fuel the flames and potentially spark new wildfires, the B.C. government is urging citizens, including multi-unit tenants and property owners, to be prepared for more evacuations and closely follow regional fire prohibitions.

“During the past week, B.C. has seen record-breaking heat accompanied by dry air masses, especially in the south of the province,” the August 17th statement read. “The heat has compounded the existing drought conditions affecting much of the province, and heightened the wildfire risk.”

Making matters worse, cold, dry air is expected to break down the existing high-pressure ridge, causing strong, shifting winds and dry lightning. In recent days, thousands of people living in the Kelowna and Okanagan area have been forced to flee their homes, as further north, wildfires in the Northwest Territories continue to rage, requiring an unprecedented 20,000 Yellowknife residents to evacuate.

“Wildfires can be absolutely devastating,” said David Hutniak, CEO, LandlordBC. “As a landlord or property manager, it is critical that you monitor media and fire authority reporting, particularly if your rental property is in an area where an evacuation alert is in effect.”

In the event of an evacuation order, Hutniak says landlords should immediately begin robust communication with tenants using all tools necessary, including in-person directives, as phone lines and internet could be compromised. He also urges landlords to assist vulnerable tenants, including seniors or those with disabilities, by connecting them with local evacuation resources or even by physically helping them safely vacate their units, if required.

“If you know a tenant is refusing to evacuate during a wildfire, you may want to notify the authorities in your area for their own safety,” he added.

Tips and resources for tenants

Before travelling anywhere in the province, landlords should remind tenants to check for road closures, evacuation alerts, evacuation orders and other prohibitions, and to follow all instructions from First Nations or local authorities. Information and updates are available at BCWildfire.ca, or alternatively, tenants can download the BC Wildfire Service app.

If evacuation orders have been received, tenants should be advised to connect with friends and family for safe, temporary lodging, or to contact Emergency Support Services (ESS) if they are unable to find accommodations. For those in hard-hit regions and as evacuation orders expand, the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness will continue to assess capacity for group lodging and is proactively opening other evacuation spaces throughout the province.

Fire prevention and preparedness

Early reporting of new wildfires is crucial to getting firefighters quickly to new starts and containing them more easily. Wildfires can be reported by calling 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cellphone or by downloading the BC Wildfire Service app. The mobile app allows individuals to submit photos along with their report, which helps inform the BC Wildfire Service’s operational decision-making.

Additionally, the B.C. government is urging people across the province to take extreme care to ensure their own activities are not a source of a future wildfire ignition: “Everyone should be aware of current fire conditions in their area and abide by any existing alerts or evacuation orders.”

For the latest update on B.C.’s State of Emergency, visit: Current Wildfire Information: August 21, 2023 | EmergencyInfoBC (gov.bc.ca) Also, Anyone interested in downloading and sharing a Emergency Preparedness Checklist can do so at: Emergency-Wildfire-Preparedness-Checklist.pdf (firesmartbc.ca)

Cleaning models for the post-pandemic reality

Post-pandemic workplaces have changed. With shifting schedules, flex hours, and smaller teams, commercial cleaners are once again pivoting to accommodate lower occupancy, while managing labour and maintaining their margins.

Supply chain delays, staffing shortages, and rising inflation are all issues the industry is facing from both sides of the equation, so cleaners and facility managers need to work together to find a solution to suit everyone’s needs.

Remote work continues to be a common practice and 78 per cent of companies expect work-from-home policies to remain long-term or even permanent. Reports predict that 73 per cent of all teams will have remote workers by 2028.

FC&M spoke to Randy Burke, CEO of Toronto-based DCS Global, about the ongoing challenges that commercial cleaners are facing as they struggle to optimize their labour and excel at service, while lower building occupancy seems to be a lasting trend.

This article has been edited for length and clarity.

FC&M: How has reduced occupancy affected commercial cleaners?

Burke: Lower building occupancy is affecting commercial cleaners on two fronts: seemingly arbitrary cost reductions from building owners and managers, and a more complicated process for contract negotiation. With a smaller staff and often smaller workloads, many building operators are looking for cleaners to reduce their pricing – and often that’s happening without any analysis or data. Many times, managers take a situation that looks like there is less work for cleaners and determine that their services should therefore cost less than before. However, there’s not always such a direct correlation. Now, with occupancy down to 20 per cent in some areas, there may well be some validity to those requests, but arbitrarily cutting costs is a problem. These decisions need to be data-based to make sense all around.

The second issue is that many cleaners are operating on old contracts and that means that they are being held to systems, specs, and tools that were negotiated before the pandemic even happened. In these cases, there may, in fact, be an efficiency issue where buildings are actually being over-cleaned. This brings to light the need for cleaners and operators to work together to find solutions that get the job done and maximize productivity.

FC&M: What are some of the strategies cleaners can employ to address these concerns?

Burke: Getting proactive, inviting open communication, and talking to customers are the best ways for cleaners to handle these issues. Explaining why cuts may not make sense, suggesting realistic, relevant adjustments to contracts and practices, showing the math, and getting ahead of the problem as much as possible will help. Recommending changes that make sense as a way for operators to save money, gives cleaners some control over the process and the ability to plan for those changes, rather than the adjustments thrust upon them. Win-wins are possible by working together!

Cutting profit level is not the answer, it’s about finding a solution that is not going to hurt the overhead, the equipment, or the supervision. Keeping those key pillars at the forefront can simplify working together to agree on fair reductions and processes.

FCM: As this situation changes over the coming years, what skills or approaches will cleaners need to employ to continue to thrive?

These last few years have really highlighted how important it is for cleaning companies to be adaptable and ready for any situation. Building occupancy is something that is still changing and shifting, and cleaners need to be able to adjust to address these changes going forward.

For example, some companies are looking for ways to cut costs with company-wide cleaning programs, wherein cleaners schedule visits for maximum ease and efficiency. Because these occupancy levels are regularly shifting, a monthly approach is best, where the schedule is adjusted and confirmed a month ahead based on predicted occupancy.

From a practical standpoint, there are simple office tools or visual cues that can be used to simplify cleaners’ jobs and maximize time spent on site, as building occupancy continues to fluctuate. Getting creative with things like tenant tent cards that say whether the space has been used and needs to be cleaned will help refine processes from both sides.

At the end of the day, cleaners should be approaching customers with a focus on value. Looking at communicating to companies that the low bid isn’t necessarily the answer, even in today’s economic climate. The bottom line doesn’t speak to value. The simple truth is that price is what you pay, but value is what you get. Communicating your value means agreeing on something that makes the most sense for everyone.

FC&M: What can building operators do to help address these cleaning challenges?

Burke: As cleaners need to work on optimizing their labour and lowering their topline costs, building operators need to collaborate with cleaners to increase transparency, work on better communication, and create solutions that are advantageous for both sides. Cleaners and operators need to assess and renegotiate what the new reality looks like, determine the best course of action, and decide on what’s required by both parties to simplify the process and reach success.

It’s often a good idea to hire a third party to conduct productivity studies to get help doing the math and get both sides to reach a place where everyone is happy with the end result. This type of cleaning assessment can help determine and clarify the best approach to cleaning the building, create a realistic scope, identify opportunities, and provide data for a better overall end result.

No one likes surprises, so communication is truly key as things like building occupancy are in continual fluctuation.

FC&M: Are there any positive takeaways from the current commercial cleaning landscape?

Burke: Yes, this situation has shone a light on out-of-date business models and has paved some of the way for innovation adoption like sensors, robotics, and automated systems. These tools have emerged as ways to help address some of these challenges, helping people to get smart about flexible and scalable working models. There’s a real opportunity for cleaners to look closely at their businesses and improve overall operations for better productivity and service into the future.

This article was originally featured in the summer 2023 issue of FC&M Magazine.

Must-have amenities for young professionals

Competitive markets, limited inventory and the high cost of living are driving many Canadians away from prospective homeownership — and unlike previous generations, today’s young professionals are more accepting of the possibility they’ll be renting for life. As such, rental communities must up the perks and amenities if they want to appeal to this growing cohort of high-calibre renters looking for long-term places to live, work and play. Here, Lee Galka, Director of Business Development at Accora Village in Ottawa, shares seven ways to ensure your rental community stands out:

1. Pet-friendly features
Young people living alone often enlist a furry friend as a roommate and companion—which means their living area must offer pet-friendly amenities. Creating a rental community that embraces pets is more than just allowing them to live on the premises; it means sharing information about nearby parks and having waste receptacles available on the grounds to make it easier for pet owners to clean up after their pets. Whether your property has an abundance of green space or not, green turf carpets can be used to transform any outdoor space into a pet-friendly zone.

2. Fitness amenities
Many young professionals embrace fitness as a lifestyle rather than a trend; therefore, having access to an on-site fitness centre with flexible hours is an amenity many will not do without. Having a fitness facility just steps from one’s front door makes it that much easier for building residents to pop in for a quick workout on their lunch break or after work. In contrast, paying the extra expense of a gym membership elsewhere while also having to account for travel time is becoming less desirable and may deter prospective tenants.

3. On-site parking
For busy working professionals, the length of their daily commute plays a critical role in determining where they are willing to live—meaning on-site parking can be “make or break” as far as amenities go. Most car owners today will only seek out properties that offer on-site parking, and as EV charging stations become more coveted, your parking facility will need to provide these as well.

4. In-suite laundry
In-suite laundry is a perk for anyone living in a rental community, especially for those constantly on the go. While most older apartment buildings offer coin laundry in a common area or will advertise a nearby laundry facility, in-suite laundry is highly preferred, and studies show that offering this amenity will dramatically increase the desirability and value of the property.

5. Increased security
Another feature inching up the must-have list of young professionals is enhanced building security, with many single tenants seeking the additional safeguards that come from having desk personnel available 24/7. This physical presence, in addition to locked doors and limited access to elevators and stairwells, come in handy in other ways, too, by keeping residents informed of daily events and helping to foster the community aspect of a rental space. And if a tenant loses a key or has trouble with a lost package, someone is always there to help.

6. Recreational fun
Many apartment complexes try to advertise themselves as communities without putting in the necessary work to foster a feeling of one. A great way to work toward building a community is to offer recreational classes and events, like cooking or painting classes, board game tournaments or BINGO nights. If the property has a common room, add billiards or shuffleboards so that residents can use them at their leisure, with friends or with each other. Even without a central space for functions, equipment rentals can make for great special occasions. For example, having snowshoes available in the winter will invite tenants to get out and explore nearby trails and perhaps introduce them to a new favourite pastime.

7. Co-working spaces
Remote working isn’t just a fad, but a lifestyle that’s here to stay. Some working professionals who entered the workforce during the pandemic have only ever worked remotely. The transition to home offices has brought a myriad of challenges for property managers, but many rental communities have figured out ways to transform common areas into co-working spaces equipped with internet, desks, chairs, coffeemakers, and other office essentials for residents to utilize. For hybrid workers, it’s the perfect happy medium between avoiding long commutes to work while still getting a change of scenery from one’s apartment.

“With fewer and fewer young people looking to buy, the rental market is in high demand. Apartment complexes and rental communities can seize the opportunity to cater to young professionals looking for long-term housing solutions,” concludes Galka. “Rentals must implement more amenities and resources to stand out in the competitive market. Nowadays, young professionals are seeking out the many benefits and conveniences of renting… so ensure your rental is up to par!”

Lee Galka is the Director of Business Development at Accora Village in Ottawa. He specializes in strategic marketing/sales planning and execution, revenue generation forecasting and market assessment.

IDC reveals student competition winners

The winners of the Innovation in Design Thinking: IDC Student Competition have been announced.

The competition by the Interior Designers of Canada (IDC) provides students with a national platform to demonstrate the value of interior design and illustrate the positive impact design has on the users of the spaces, supported by evidence-based research. The awards program was created exclusively for Canadian interior design students.

The 2023 winners are:

Award of Excellence

‘Caladrius Health and Wellness Center’ (photo above) by Cali Pitcher, Georgian College (Barrie, Ont.)

Caladrius, named after the mythological Roman bird that healed children while they slept, is a proposed health and wellness center to provide a much-needed family medical facility to Simcoe County. The concept behind Caladrius is inspired by the yin and yang symbol, a universal symbol of harmony. The concept of providing harmonious care of each patient’s mental and physical well-being drove the design process. Healing and community are brought forth in the center, surrounded by lush trees and calming walking trails providing the opportunity for healing in nature at every turn.

The Caladrius Health and Wellness Center offers the Simcoe County community much-needed mental and physical health support, as there are currently not enough family doctors or psychiatrists in the region. The space is designed to create harmony between these two areas of care, creating a dynamic space that is designed with families at the forefront.

Award of Merit

‘Yúustway Healing Center; to take care of one another/each other’ by Alyssa Scott, Wilson School of Design at Kwantlen Polytechnic University (Richmond, B.C.)
‘Oasis – Interior Garden & Wellness Center’ by Sam Piner, British Columbia Institute of Technology (Burnaby, B.C.)

Honourable Mention

‘Copper restaurant/ Concept : Pizzazz’ by Noora Aziz, Yorkville University (Concord, Ont.)
‘Seeing and Non-Seeing’ by Shuning Xie, Toronto Metropolitan University (Toronto, Ont.)

The winning projects will be honoured at the IDC Awards Celebration on October 26, 2023, held during the 2023 Design Symposium.

1,100 new rental homes underway in Vancouver via RCFi

The City of Vancouver announced it is moving forward on the construction of more than 1,100 purpose-built rental homes in projects made possible through the Rental Construction Financing Initiative (RCFi). Launched under the National Housing Strategy, RCFi provides fully repayable low-interest loans to encourage the construction of purpose-built rental housing for middle income Canadians.

The announcement took place August 16 at 5728 Gray Avenue, a site that will soon bring 150 residential units to faculty, staff, and students at the University of British Columbia. The future 6-storey property is well located with easy access to public transit.

“The City of Vancouver is committed to ensuring Vancouverites have a place to call home,” said Ken Sim, Mayor, City of Vancouver. “That is why it is encouraging to see the CMHC providing much-needed support to increase rental spaces through investment initiatives like the RCFi to help build the spaces residents need, from rentals and co-ops to supportive housing. As we look to secure housing that is more affordable across our city, these 1,100 purpose-built rental units will help us get the job done.”

“We must increase the supply of housing,” added Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities. “Doing so requires an all-hands-on-deck commitment from all levels of government. The federal government will continue to make strategic investments through programs like the RCFi and the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF), while also working with our provincial and municipal partners so that all Canadians have a safe place that they are proud to call home.”

The HAF is $4 billion initiative, and part of a larger toolbox of federal measures to support the creation of housing supply through Canada’s National Housing Strategy.

Progress on these programs and initiatives is updated quarterly at: www.placetocallhome.ca.

VRCA reveals 2023 Silver Award winners

The 2023 VRCA Awards of Excellence Silver Award winners have been announced.

This year, 43 Silver Award winners were selected in 15 project categories. These project-specific awards recognize the VRCA’s finest member companies and feature industrial, commercial, institutional, multi-family residential, and special projects.

Most nominated projects are in the Lower Mainland (some project scope included multiple locations). Entries were also received for projects undertaken by member organizations in Bowen Island, Oliver, Powell River, and Prince George. Submissions include hospital redevelopment and expansions, transit upgrades, public space, and park projects, infrastructure enhancements, and tenant improvements.

“Congratulations to this year’s Silver Award winners!” said newly appointed VRCA president, Jeannine Martin. “I’ve been a fierce competitor in past awards, and I have seen firsthand the pride and excitement participants have when presenting their projects to the judges. Celebrating construction by annually recognizing these achievements and this passion is important to our industry and those who work in it.”

The general contractor category winners are:

General Contractors – Over $70 Million

Fraser River Pile and Dredge plus partners Jacob Brothers and Dragados Canada
Centerm Expansion Project and South Shore Access Project

Ledcor Construction Limited
The Stack

Ledcor Group of Companies
Highway 91/17 Upgrade Project

General Contractors – $20 Million to $70 Million

PCL Constructors Westcoast Inc.
Fibreco Silos Repair & Replacement

Peak Construction Ltd.
UBC BCR 8 Evolve

Lark Projects Ltd. In Join Venture with ICT –
Imagining Communities Together 150 West 4th

General Contractors – Up to $20 Million

Graham Infrastructure LP
Capilano Substation Upgrade Project

Haebler Construction Projects Inc.
Yaletown Square

Vancouver Pile Driving Ltd.
English Bay Barge

General Contractors, Tenant Improvement – Up to $10 Million

Canadian Turner Construction Company Ltd.
Trulioo M2 Tenant Improvement

PCL Constructors Westcoast Inc.
Richmond Olympic Oval – Legacy Lounge Improvement Project

Upward Construction
Alka Pools

General Contractors, Tenant Improvement – Over $10 Million

PCL Constructors Westcoast Inc.
Apple Pacific Centre

Novacom Building Partners Ltd.
Zymeworks Office and Laboratory

Smith Bros. & Wilson (B.C.) Ltd.
Expo Line Escalator Replacement Civil Works

All Silver Award winners will be recognized at the Awards of Excellence Gala October 17 at the Vancouver Convention Centre West. Gold Award winners in their respective category will be selected from Silver Award winners and will be announced at the Gala.

Read the full list of Silver winners here.

UBC Brock Commons student residence opens

The University of British Columbia’s (UBC) new Brock Commons North student residence building has officially opened, providing 316 additional beds for students.

The 18-storey, $59 million building is part of the Brock Commons residence area, which includes Tallwood House (completed in 2017 with 404 beds). The area will finish construction in spring 2024 with the completion of Brock South (282 beds). Total construction costs for the North and South residence buildings are $165 million.

North features study rooms, a fitness room, games room, and music rooms as well as social spaces. The ground floor also includes legal clinic space for the Peter A. Allard School of Law and a student collegia space. Floors 3-18 are residential with 63 four-bedroom suites and 64 studio units, all furnished and all with kitchen appliances

“We’re excited to welcome student residents to North, and give more students the opportunity to live on campus,” said Andrew Parr, associate vice-president of UBC Student Housing and Community Services. “We know the Vancouver rental market presents affordability and access challenges for some students. Being able to provide below market rate housing for students is a key goal for the university.”

UBC has invested $670 million in the last 12 years to build 5,550 new student residence beds on the Vancouver and Okanagan campuses. UBC is the largest university provider of student housing in Canada with 15,325 beds on its two campuses (13,205 in Vancouver and 2,120 at UBC Okanagan).

“The investment is significant, but so are the benefits and demand for more spaces,” noted Parr.

Demand is growing every year. In 2010, when UBC began its student residence growth plan, the summer waitlist peaked at 3,200 students. Before COVID, that waitlist grew to more than 6,000 students and by the summer peak in 2022, there were more than 8,000 students looking for a unit on campus that the university could not accommodate.

Ontario universities get funds for decarbonization projects

Western University, McMaster University and York University are receiving $9 million in federal funding to tackle carbon emissions across their campuses.

Western will receive $4,745,000 for a four-year project to replace natural gas boilers with electric steam boilers. “We are so grateful for this funding, which will ensure that Western has a resilient and upgraded heating system, and will help us meet our greenhouse gas reduction targets at the same time,” said Andrew Konowalchuk, associate vice-president of facilities management. “This is a system-wide, impactful project that is a huge step forward in our commitment to reduce emissions on campus by 45 percent by 2030, and to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.”

McMaster is getting $2,087,600 for the same purpose as it sets out to decarbonize its campus operations, while York will receive $2,080,000 to upgrade its energy management system to make its heating and cooling more energy efficient.

The funding comes from pollution pricing proceeds via Canada’s new Decarbonization Incentive Program, which supports projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions through commercially available and/or proven low-carbon technologies. These new university projects are projected to cumulatively cut more than 35,000 tonnes of emissions in 2030.

How smart buildings affect commercial cleaners

With technology constantly improving building operations, how have these changes affected commercial cleaners and their work? Smart buildings use technology to gain valuable data, helping cleaners get the job done faster and more accurately. Experts predict that as insight and sustainability goals grow, the number of smart buildings worldwide is projected to climb to 115 million by 2026, which is an increase of more than 150 per cent. So, it looks like smart buildings are here to stay.

There are several advantages that smart technology brings to buildings but how are commercial cleaners affected by this type of innovation?

Managing inventory

With smart technology, it’s easy to keep track of supplies like hand sanitizer or paper towels, monitor when levels are getting low, and limit the amount of waste. It means that cleaners do not need to spend as much time checking on supply levels when these items are automatically dispensed and tracked because they will receive a notification when specific areas need attention.

Because the technology operates in real-time, and supplies can be quickly replenished as needed, the likelihood of customers complaining about missing products is reduced as well.

Creative scheduling

Smart building technology often includes sensors that monitor traffic throughout the building. This means that it can determine the best times for cleaners to get the job done. Now, this might mean a little creative scheduling for cleaners, but with flex hours and lower building occupancy, schedules are shifting out of necessity anyway. Cleaners who can be flexible with their schedules may be able to better manage their labour, stand out from the competition, and increase their margins.

Innovative cleaning

The rise of smart building technology has created a demand for cobotics: robotic innovation that works alongside humans to record and improves performance. Used by cleaners, this technology helps to boost results, allocate labour to less repetitive tasks, and collect accurate data so cleaners can track their performance, increase productivity, and improve their practices.

Smart buildings are beneficial for facility and maintenance managers but there are advantages for commercial cleaners, too. By zeroing in on the data, smart buildings can actually help cleaners do their more efficiently, save on labour, and provide better service for their customers.

50-storey condo planned for Yonge and St. Clair

A joint venture between Cameron Stephens Equity Capital, Originate Developments and Westdale Properties will bring 655 units of new housing to the Yonge & Rosehill neighbourhood, south of St. Clair in Toronto.

Set on a half-acre site, the design for a 50-storey high-rise condo includes a six-storey podium clad in warm brown and brown-tinted glazing. Developers say the proposal was submitted in May, with the land acquisition closing in July.

Cameron Stephens Equity Capital now has more than 2,100 total residential units under development. With $1.9 billion of total project revenue and a substantial pipeline of new units already coming to market across multiple projects, the firm plans on further expanding their portfolio through new partnerships and site acquisitions.

To support the advancement of the Yonge and St. Clair proposal, Cameron Stephens Equity Capital leaned on its advisory board — an instrumental element of its rigorous deal evaluation and nimble capital deployment processes — as well as its strong existing relationships with Originate Developments and Westdale Properties.

“Cameron Stephens Equity Capital have been a valuable partner, allowing Originate Developments to deliver on our mission of building better housing guided by exceptionally high standards,” said Adam Sheffer, president and co-founder of Originate Developments. Now, along with Westdale Properties, we are well-positioned to bring another 655 new housing units to Yonge and St. Clair.”

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