Advance Drywall is coordinating “A Little Taste of Italy” to raise Ride the Rideau funds.

All funds raised at the Aug 14 event at Trattoria Cafe Italia at 254 Preston St. will support cancer research at the Ottawa hospital

Tickets are $50.00 each or $80.00 per couple. Please call Kim at (613) 291 4085, Sherry at (613) 292 7940.

The event includes

• Wine tasting – no limit as long as deemed safe
• Appetizers: Deep fried olives, pizza squares, veggies & dips, cheese, grapes, meatballs, calamari, antipasto….etc.
• Desserts: will be made by donors around the city of Ottawa – restaurants, individual bakers, etc. Traditional desserts of the different regions of Italy – i.e.: Sicily – cannoli
• Coffee/tea/pop – available free of charge
• A $150.00 gift certificate from Davidson Jewellers as a door prize.

The post A Little Taste of Italy to support Ride the Rideau appeared first on Ottawa Construction News.

            Plenty to celebrate as preparations under-way for fifth cancer fund raising event move into high gear

By Tracey Tong

Special to Ottawa Construction News

It’s the fifth anniversary for Ride the Rideau and its organizers at The Ottawa Hospital Foundation have plenty to celebrate.

Eastern Ontario’s most successful cancer fundraiser and the signature fundraising event for The Ottawa Hospital is welcoming a new title sponsor in 2014 as well as debuting a brand new distance and all new routes on Sept. 6.

Ride the Rideau is pleased to welcome Canada’s largest new home builder, Mattamy Homes, as the new title sponsor of Ride the Rideau.

The Mattamy name is no stranger to the Ottawa community. Not only has the company has built more than 60,000 homes in hundreds of communities across North America, including Ottawa, but it has a long history of supporting local community efforts and charitable causes that contribute to people living healthy and productive lives, including Ride the Rideau.

“For 35 years, homeowners have trusted Mattamy Homes with one of the biggest decisions of their lives – buying a home,” said Peter Gilgan, founder and CEO of Mattamy Homes.

“Our way of saying ‘thank you’ and giving back to our homeowners and local communities is to support those issues that mean the most to them,” said Gilgan, who will be joining the Ride as a member of the Mattamy Homes team led by Mike Green. “This is why we are proud to be a part of the Ride the Rideau event in support of cancer research at The Ottawa Hospital.”“We’re thrilled to have Mattamy Homes on board,” said Tim Kluke, President and CEO of The Ottawa Hospital Foundation. “Having the support of a leading North American company like Mattamy Homes will help to further raise the profile of this already successful event and help make an even bigger impact.”

The Ride has grown in leaps and bounds since its inception. In just four years, Ride the Rideau has surpassed $6.45 million in support of cancer research, including the development of personalized therapies for cancer patients and clinical trials at The Ottawa Hospital. The event continues to grow, adding a new 100 mile distance to its roster, in addition to the flagship 100 km ride and the 50 km ride.

This year, the ride also features a loop, which will see riders to start and finish at the EY Centre. This makes it convenient for friends and family members, who can cheer on their loved ones at the beginning and end of the ride without having to leave the venue.

Riders come from all walks of life, but the event has a particularly strong participant contingent from Ottawa’s construction and homebuilding industries.

Two of the event’s biggest champions, Robert Merkley and Claude Des Rosiers, lead Merkley Supply Inc. and Boone Plumbing respectively. The two companies, which each have their own teams, have been event supporters since the Ride began in 2010.

In fact, Merkley, who captains the Brick Peddlers, recently surpassed 100 team members on his way to his $350,000 fundraising goal.

(In an informal phone interview with Construction News and Report Group president Mark Buckshon, Merkley said he is well on his way to surpassing his team size and fund-raising goals.  He plans an extensive initiative to promote Ride the Rideau at the annual invitation-only MSL Show on March 27.)

Back for a second year, Team Tomlinson’s Red Army Riders is already a force to be reckoned with. Led by Kevin Cinq-Mars and Ron Tomlinson of the ubiquitous Tomlinson Group, the team has a very special reason for riding this year – in memory of Rita Hendriks, wife of executive vice-president Bert Hendriks. Rita, who recently passed away, was looking forward to her first Ride the Rideau this year. Donations have flooded in as tribute to the wife and mother on her Ride the Rideau page.

Everyone knows someone who has been touched by cancer. Whether you ride as a member of one of these teams, start your own or take the journey as an individual, there’s still time to get involved. To learn more about Ride the Rideau or support one of these teams, visit ridetherideau.ca.

Fact Box

What: Ride the Rideau

When: Saturday, September 6

Time: Starts at 8 a.m.

Where: Starts and finishes at Ottawa’s EY Centre

Why: To support cancer research at The Ottawa Hospital

How: Visit www.ridetherideau.ca to learn more

The post Ride the Rideau: Sept. 6 appeared first on Ottawa Construction News.

Ottawa Construction News staff writer

PCL Constructors Canada Inc. has won a $2,603,997.99 contract to oversee construction management of the Government Conference Centre (GCC) at 2 Rideau Dr.

The heritage renovation of the historical building – once Ottawa’s main train station – will adapt the building to house the Senate chamber as Parliament Hill renovations continue.

Public Works and Government Services Canada estimates the overall project value to be about $190 million, with the “hard construction cost” of about $91 million. Diamond and Schmitt Architects Inc. and KWC Architects Inc. as a joint venture earlier won the design competition.

PWGSC bid documents say the government anticipates construction mobilization in June, and substantial performance achieved by December 2017. The goal is to be ready to move the Senate chamber into the restored building by September 2018.

The post PCL wins $2.6M Government Conference Centre construction management contract appeared first on Ottawa Construction News.

The Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC), headquartered in Ottawa, is seeking nominees for the 2014 Leadership Award.

Each year, the CaGBC recognizes organizations and individuals who have made a significant contribution to the council’s mission and goals in advancing green building in Canada.

The Leadership Awards categories are: The Academic Leadership Award; The Emerging Green Builder Leadership Award; The Government Leadership Award; The Volunteer Leadership Award; The Chapter Leadership Award; The Green Building Champion Award; The Industry Leadership Award; and The Lifetime Achievement Award.

The deadline for nominations is January 31, 2014.

All nominations must be submitted via CaGBC online application process.

Read More

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Ottawa Construction News staff writer

The GOHBA’s annual Christmas dinner is an annual association highlight, and the 2013 event on Dec. 3 was no exception.

The dinner is traditionally the best-attended evening of the association annual calendar.

Sponsors included:  Merkley Supply, dinner; Enbridge Gas Distribution, entertainment; Caneast Shows, wine; and Naylor Communications, beverage.

Revenue from the 50/50 draw at the dinner will support the 2014 Ride the Rideau for Cancer Research at The Ottawa Hospital.

The post GOHBA members celebrate Christmas with annual dinner appeared first on Ottawa Construction News.

Construct Canada and IIDEX Canada will co-locate next year to create what the show organizers say will be North America’s largest annual exposition and conference focusing on the design, construction and management of real estate.

The show, scheduled for Dec. 3 to 5, will occupy both the North and South buildings at Toronto’s Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

The combined events will be held concurrently with seven other events: PM Expo, DesignTrends, HomeBuilder and Renovator Expo, Concrete Canada, The Toronto Real Estate Forum, Construct International and National GreenBuilding Conference.

Construct Canada and IIDEX Canada will collaborate to create a seamless event that will be called The Buildings Show, while maintaining their long standing identities, branding, programming and management.

The decision to co-locate all nine expositions and conferences was based on a desire to maximize greater value for attendees, exhibitors and the design and real estate industry, says a news release.            “Creating larger events is also a growing international trend that can take advantage of the resources and expertise of Informa’s global team, the news release said.

“Co-locating these related shows and educational forums enables the creation of a very dynamic one-stop opportunity that will benefit all the professionals who play any role in designing, creating and managing the built environment,” says Informa Canada vice-president George Przybylowski. “This mega-event will provide a robust marketplace for new products, broader education, and true inspiration.”

IIDEX Canada vice-president Tracy Bowie said: “We’re excited to bring these brands together as The Buildings Show, providing professionals with everything they need under one roof and creating a truly multidisciplinary experience, while still sustaining our separate brands and providing everyone’s target audiences with enhanced programming, a much broader diversification of products and multiple opportunities for suppliers to reach all professions in a cost effective and strategic manner.”

IIDEX Canada and Construct Canada have led the way in raising the profile for new technologies, facilitating industry networking, and providing professional development to architects, interior designers, lighting designers, industrial designers, facility managers, developers, builders, contractors, landscape architects, engineers, home renovators, property managers, sustainable experts and real estate executives.

“When Informa consulted with us as a major professional association and key stakeholder, we were excited about the enhanced educational opportunity for our members who will attend as well as those who will exhibit in The Buildings Show.” says John Mollenhauer, president of the Toronto Construction Association, Construct Canada’s principal sponsor.

To further expand the experience of all attendees, IIDEX Canada will now include Design Trends, Construct International and the International Interior Design Roundtable in the North Building on Dec. 3 and 4 in 2014, the news release said.

The post IIDEX Canada to co-locate with Construct Canada in 2014 to create The Buildings Show appeared first on Ottawa Construction News.

Development project leaders to speak at CSC Ottawa Connections Cafe

Ottawa Construction News staff writer

The chief executive officers for three of central Ottawa’s most significant current and future development projects will provide their perspectives on the projects and the city’s future at the Construction Specification Canada (CSC) Ottawa chapter Connections Cafe on Feb. 19.

Speakers/panelists include:

• Brad Lamb, president and CEO of Lamb Development Corp., who has purchased the current OCA headquarters at 196 Bronson;
• Bernie Ashe, chief executive officer of the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment group, co-ordinating the Lansdowne Park revitalization; and
• Jonathan Westeinde, managing partner of Windmill Developments, which is preparing to develop the former Domtar lands on the Chaudière Islands.

“This event will provide an excellent networking opportunity for contractors, suppliers, architects, engineers and others interested in current and future business opportunities,” said CSC Ottawa chapter chair Mark Buckshon, whose business publishes Ottawa Construction News. “The city is truly changing, with intensive, multi-function developments reshaping the urban core.”

The event, from 5:30 pm. to 9:00 p.m. at Algonquin College, will bring the movers and shakers within the city’s architectural, engineering, construction and development community together in one room. “This is truly one of the best networking events of the year,” Buckshon said. “The CSC chapter, with its interdisciplinary perspective, provides a great opportunity for specialists to come together and understand the larger picture.”

A special pre-event at 4:30 has been co-ordinated to provide information about CSC courses and programs that can ultimately lead to certification as a registered specifications writer. “This program will be especially relevant to Algonquin College students and others interested in enhancing their career.” There is no charge to attend the CSC career event and student participants will be eligible for reduced fees for the full evening/dinner program.

Tickets for the evening event are $60.00 individually or $110 ($55.00 each) for a pair, plus HST.  Table purchases and sponsorships are also available, allowing additional opportunities to communicate, market and promote your business or professional service.

For more information and to register, you can visit csccconnectionscafeottawa.eventbrite.ca.  You can also email bu******@***gp.com or phone (613) 224-3460 ext 114 for more information.

The post Ottawa’s future opportunities appeared first on Ottawa Construction News.

Nomination deadline is Jan. 16.

“This award is about rewarding the behaviours that elevate our industry as a whole,” the association says in a notice to members. “It’s about thanking influential individuals for having the courage to lead by example.”

Previous years’ award winners include:

2012 Dennis & Micheline Drevniok

2011 Bill Pieterson

2010 Serge Massicotte

2009 Mike Rushton

2008 Ron Barrie

2007 Alex Rankin

2006 Richard Moore

2005 John Westeinde

2004 John Adjeleian

2003 Zeev Vered

2002 Helmut Mueller

2001 Bill Riddell

2000 Glen Morley

1999 Dick Zeidler

The post The General Contractors Association of Ottawa will announce the winner of the association’s annual Integrity and Ethics Award on Feb. 26. appeared first on Ottawa Construction News.

            Despite all-party support and lobbying by several industry associations, private member’s bill appears caught in legislative limbo

Ottawa Construction News staff writer

Several industry associations are stepping up a campaign to have a private member’s bill for Canada’s first Prompt Payment Act accelerated through the Ontario legislature, though at press time there is no indication that the government is taking measures to bring it forward through the legislature’s committee review process.

The legislation, which received multi-party approval at second reading in May, appears stuck in the Standing Committee on Regulations and Private Members Bills, a common fate for many private member’s bills, which rarely see the light of third reading and proclamation.

Hugh Laird, executive director of the Interior Systems Contractors Association of Ontario (ISCAO), and one of the legislation’s most focussed lobbyists, said the Liberal government seems to place little importance on the Prompt Payment Act, even though the legislation was introduced by Liberal MPP Steven Del Du ca (and received both NDP and Conservative support.)

Jeff Koller, industry compliance officer of the Ontario Construction Finishing Industries Alliance said in a letter to Ontario Construction Report (see page xx) that PC labour critic Monte McNaughton has raised the issue in question Period for the second time in less than a month.  “Premier, is Bill 69 a priority for your Liberal government,” he quoted McNaughton as saying. “And if so, when do you expect to move forward with this important piece of legislation.”

Koller said premier Kathleen Wynne responded: “The bill will move through the normal course of the process in the Legislature.  There will be an opportunity for a debate and a vote.”

However, Koller wrote: “The only problem with that is, in the normal course of process, most private members bills never see the light of day.”

The Ontario Home Builders’ Association (OHBA) has not joined the chorus of support for the legislation, reporting in its November Activity Summary that “it has concerns with the legislation that would mandate payment terms for any construction contract.”

“The legislation would also require the contractor to disclose internal financial information to contractors and subcontractors in the project,” the OHBA said.

However, other construction associations including the Construction Association of Thunder Bay and the Sudbury Construction Association have also spoken up in favour of the proposed legislation.

“It’s a very significant issue,” says CATB manager Harold Lindstrom. “There aren’t many days that go by that a contractor or one of my members makes a comment about late payment.”

The act would give contractors certainty that they would be paid in a reasonable time frame – typically 30 days, Lindstrom said.

Other business sectors require payment within 30 days. “Why should it be any different in construction?” Lindstrom says.

The chain of businesses in a building project can be long – from an owner/developer and general contractor to a lengthy list of subcontractors and suppliers. “If there is a hiccup anywhere in that chain in which someone stops paying someone it usually is reflected all down the line,” Lindstrom said. “The spread on payment gets longer and longer as you get further down the chain.”

He says some contractors are owed hundreds of thousands of dollars. The affect on their business growth plans can be significant. They might curb hiring plans, halt equipment and materials acquisition schedules – all of which are important drivers to a healthy economy.

“If you can’t meet a payroll, employees don’t wait for 40 days . . . 120 days. Most of them are paid on a bi-weekly basis and if they don’t get paid they don’t come to work,” says Lindstrom.

These views are echoed in Sudbury.

“We don’t understand why the current government speaks about the economy being its top priority, yet they don’t have the wherewithal to pass legislation on prompt payment,” says Denis Shank, the Sudbury Construction Association’s (SCA) executive director.

When contractors go months without pay, they stop hiring new employees, stop purchasing new equipment, stop expanding and so on – all of which are important stimulants to a healthy economy.

“In the worst case scenarios, the cash shortfall leads to bankruptcy,” Shank said.

“This should have been a government bill, not a private members bill. It is a no-brainer that prompt payment is good for the economy,” Shank said. “There are many reasons why owners delay payment. One reason is poorly managed developments that can lead owners to shelling out more for unexpected costs, which leaves them in a tight cash-flow situation. Another reason owners hold onto the cash is so they can use it to develop other land parcels. Anybody that does not support prompt payment legislation is likely to be a company that benefits from not paying.”

The idea of prompt payment legislation is not new outside of Canada. There is legislation in place in the U.S., New Zealand and Australia. As well, many European countries also abide by this legislation.

“So, why not enact legislation in Ontario?” Shank said. “We would be the first province in Canada to do so. It’s good for economy and that is why the Liberals should be jumping on it.”

Overall, general contractors, represented by the Ontario General Contractors Association (OGCA) are satisfied with the proposed prompt payment legislation, after an earlier draft was revised to reflect their concerns.  There may be challenges at the ownership level, and this perhaps explains the OHBA’s concerns, as several builders are also owners/developers.

The OHBA’s concerns were expressed in second-reading debate by Laura Albanese, the Liberal MPP for York South-Weston. “There is wide support for this legislation,” she said on May 16. “I know that some stakeholders, like the OHBA, would like to have some clarification with regard to the level of disclosure, the right to financial information that is contained, and I think that can be done in committee.”

However, Ambrose still supported the legislation in second reading.

The post Can the Prompt Payment Act make it through committee? appeared first on Ottawa Construction News.

Here are the winners for the 2013 GOHBA Housing Design Awards:

Tract housing

Small builder attached or detached, 2,500 sq. ft. or less

Surface Developments

Large builder attached, 1,800 sq. ft. or less

Richcraft Homes Ltd.

Large builder attached, 1,801 sq. ft. or more

Tartan Homes Corp.

Large builder single detached, 2,001 – 2,599 sq. ft. (lot size 39′ or less)

            Tartan Homes Corp.

Large builder single detached, 2,001 – 2,599 sq. ft. (lot size 40′ or more)

            eQ Homes Inc.

Large builder single detached, 2,600 – 3,499 sq. ft. (lot size 39′ or less)

            Tartan Homes Corp.

Large builder single detached, 2,600 – 3,499 sq. ft. (lot size 40′ or more)

Minto Communities Inc.

Large builder single detached, 3,500 sq. ft. or more

Minto Communities Inc.

Custom homes

2,400 sq. ft. or less

            Christopher Simmonds Architect Inc. with RND Construction Ltd.

2,401 – 3,999 sq. ft.

Christopher Simmonds Architect Inc.

4,000 – 5,999 sq. ft.

Christopher Simmonds Architect Inc.

Over 6,000 sq. ft.

Brenmar Construction Group

Custom urban infill

Christopher Simmonds Architect Inc. with West Hill Homes Ltd.

Developments and Condominiums

Housing Development of the Year

Roca Homes with Barry J. Hobin & Associates Architects Inc.

Condominium unit

Roca Homes with Barry J. Hobin & Associates Architects Inc.

Renovations/additions

Under $60,000

CKC Group Ltd.

$60,000 – $99,999

Oakwood Renovation Experts

$100,000 – $199,999 (tied)

Luxurious Living Studio Inc.

RND Construction Ltd.

$200,000 – $349,000

Revelstoke Development Corp.

$350,000 – $499,999

Chuck Mills Residential Design & Development Inc. with Patterson Homes

$500,000 and over

Urban Keios Design Inc.

Basement

Just Basements

Kitchens and bathrooms

Production kitchens, 129 sq. ft. or less

Tartan Homes Corporation

Production kitchen, 130 sq. ft. or more

Deslaurier Custom Cabinets Inc.

Custom kitchens, 159 sq. ft. or less

Kitchen Craft Cabinetry

Custom kitchens, 160 – 219 sq. ft.

Surface Developments with Muskoka Cabinet Company

Custom kitchens, 220 sq. ft. or more ($74,999 or under)

            Roca Homes

Custom kitchens, 220 sq. ft. or more ($75,000 and over)

Chuck Mills Residential Design & Development Inc. with Deslaurier Custom Cabinets Inc.

Custom bathrooms, 90 sq. ft. or less

Astro Design Centre

Custom bathrooms, 91. sq. ft. or more

Christopher Simmonds Architects

Special categories

Green Tract Home of the Year
Corvinelli Homes

Green Development of the Year

            Minto Communities Inc.

Housing Details

Roca Homes

Any Room in the House

Christopher Simmonds Architect Inc.

Open Category

Christopher Simmonds Architect Inc.

Prestige awards

Renovator of the Year

Sandy Hill Construction Ltd.

Ottawa Citizen Peoples’ Choice Award

Christopher Simmonds Architect Inc. with RND Construction Ltd.

Colonel Boss Award

Roy Nandram – RND Construction

Fred Nielsen Award

Merkley Supply

Enbridge Hall of Fame

PMA Brethour Realty Group

The post The 2013 Housing Design Awards winners appeared first on Ottawa Construction News.