Public Works and Government Services Canada declared that it has granted a contract for renovation of West Block, a central part of the parliamentary building located on Parliament Hill.
It granted the first of the proposed two-phase construction accord to PCL Constructors, Canada an Ottawa, Ontario based company. The contract valued around $358.5M will cover nearly 60% of the total project. The second phase of the contract will commence on approval of funding and once the second phase is done, the project would be completed.
Presently the West Block is in a badly damaged state and the contract will require total reconstruction of its stonework and replacing its old and often failing building systems such as safety, electrical and mechanical systems. The building also requires significant level of work in meeting the specifications prescribed for easy reach, ecological standards and earthquake protection in modern constructions. The contract also requires building of a bigger sized new infill structure in the present courtyard space of the building offering above and underground space which will add around 50% new and permanent space to the West Block structure.
The West Block was totally vacated to facilitate reconstruction in January 2011, Ellis Don Corporation was granted the demolition contract in February 2011 and the company commenced its work in March.
The granting of Construction management accord was performed in two stages and the selection process was monitored by an independent Fairness Monitor who stated that the acquisition process for the reconstruction contract was open, fair, transparent and competitive.
Source: http://www.canada.gc.ca/