Ottawa Construction News staff writer
The GCAO has recognized three projects and contractors for excellence in the association’s bi-annual project awards program.
The awards recognize buildings completed in 2015 and 2016. There were eight entries in three categories, along with the overall Don Chutter Meritorious Achievement Award.
This year, PCL Construction Inc. received both the building project award for projects valued at more than $15 million and the Don Chutter award, named after the association’s retired executive director, for its successful completion of the Rideau Centre retail expansion.
Taplen Commercial Construction Inc. won the award in the $5 million to $15 million category for its successful completion of the Salus Clementine building for tenants with serious mental health challenges. The contractor built the structure to extremely energy efficient Passive House standards.
Timothy Terrell, senior project manager for Cahdco, which managed the project representing owner Ottawa Salus Corp., said after the building opened and before Ottawa Hydro read the meter, the utility sent Salus a bill for more than $5,000. When the meter reader finally checked the usage, the actual costs were more like $75 for the month.
Finally, McDonald Brothers Construction Inc. received the GCAO award for projects up to $5 million for its success in completing the Ottawa Torah Centre Chabad in Barrhaven.
The Panel of Adjudicators ranked entries by criteria including project management, safety, scheduling, complexity, innovations, customer satisfaction and the contribution to the area’s economic, social and environmental quality of life.
Judges were: Donald Wood, project officer, Ottawa Catholic School Board; William Crompton, vice-president, McRobie Architects; and Pye & Richards Architects principal Scott Hayward.
