Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR)

And the winner is...

Friday morning, April 15, 2005, the Friends of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights annnounced Antoine Predock's mystical dove winged mountain as the Museum's official winning design. Coincidentally, it was almost two years to the date, April 17, 2003, when the initial announcement of the intent to establish the Canadian Museum for Human Rights on the historical Forks site in Winnipeg, Manitoba was made by local philanthropist Israel Asper. This much anticipated announcement was preceded by an open international design competition which closed in early 2004 and drew entries from the global architectural community.

The internationally renowned New Mexico firm of Antoine Predock Architect is also the architect for the National Palace Museum Southern Branch (2008) in Taibo Taiwan, the San Diego Padres Ballpark/Petco Park (2004) in San Diego California and Hotel Santa Fe – Euro Disney (1992) in Paris France. In his acceptance and presentation, Predock remarked that he usually likes to enter invited competitions so he “at least knows what you're up against”; however, there was something about the CMHR project which attracted him and his team enough to put all their energy into the winning concept that now has a home at the Forks.

Antoine Predock Architect will be working closely with Smith Carter Architects & Engineers, the project's Architect of Record. Smith Carter is also acting as the Prime Consultant for the Museum project and will be responsible for management and coordination of all architectural, interior design and engineering components; through the design, contract documents and contract administration phases for the CMHR. Construction Manager, PCL Constructors Canada Ltd, rounds out the list of major players responsible for the Museum's construction.

The construction costs of the CMHR are estimated at $126.3 million. With content, the Museum is estimated at a total cost (including construction) of $243 million with an annual operating budget of $16 million.

The Government of Canada's Reg Alcock was also on hand at Friday's announcement with one of his own - the Federal government is kicking in $100 million toward the CMHR, along with a previous $30 million investment from the Federal Department of Western Diversification. Funding has also been received through the Province of Manitoba ($20 million), the City of Winnipeg ($20 million) and nearly $40 million has been received from individual corporate and labour organization donors.

From a vision first conceived by the late Israel Asper in the 1980's and seen through to a reality by the entire Asper family, Gail Asper in particular, and with the winning design announcement on April 15, 2005; it now seems safe to say that the Canadian Museum for Human Rights will see the beginning of its construction sometime in 2006.

For more information regarding the Canadian Museum for Human Rights and its design, visit: www.canadianmuseumforhumanrights.com or the Friends of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights Inc at (204) 944-2476.

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Manitoba Hydro Downtown Office

Final Design Concept

Manitoba Hydro has chosen ‘Concept C' as its final design to embody the corporation's new downtown headquarters. Design Concept ‘C' features a tower and a podium. Bob Brennan, Manitoba Hydro's President and CEO, made the announcement on April 15, 2005, following several months of consultation since the final three design concepts (defined as Concept A, B and C) were unveiled last October 2004 and subjected to public review and scrutiny.

Energy efficiency is the theme driving the Design Architect, Kuwabara Payne McKenna Blumberg (KPMB) out of Toronto with Winnipeg based Smith Carter Architects & Engineers Inc acting as Architect of Record for Hydro's new headquarters.

The power provider has set a target for a 60% reduction in energy use for its new headquarters, in comparison to other conventional office buildings, making it one of the most energy efficient office buildings in the global village. Its fundamental extensive use of a passive energy system as opposed to an energy driven mechanical system which is most commonly used in standard office buildings is a key part of this design. Also incorporated into the energy saving design component is a geothermal heat pump system, energy efficient lighting, pumps and drives and a double external wall.  

Design Concept ‘C' also maximizes employee and environmental friendly saving features such as a conditioned, fresh air atrium, a solar chimney to enhance fresh air ventilation, and optimal natural lighting throughout the new building.

The design will be finalized and unveiled this summer as the design team is now moving forward into the detailed design phase which will determine the final building size and cost. Construction is scheduled to begin Summer 2005 with commissioning and occupancy by Hydro's 2000 employees in 2007.

Construction Manager, PCL Constructors Canada Ltd has already issued tender calls for two bid packages, Hazardous Material Removal and Foundations. Salvage and deconstruction crews are currently dismantling the city block on the south side of Portage Avenue between Edmonton and Carlton Streets extending south to Graham Avenue.  Its on-site structures and reusable materials; including sinks, doors, counters and glass blocks are being salvaged. Non-reusable but recyclable materials including steel, concrete and glass, will be spared from disposal, reducing the amount going to the landfill.

The new Downtown Hydro Office adds to the City of Winnipeg's plan for downtown revitalization and joins the company of the MTS Centre and the Millennium Library project along with the Waterfront Drive and Exchange District redevelopments.

Images of the selected Design are available by clicking here Design Concept 'C', as well as more information regarding the Manitoba Hydro Downtown Office Project at www.hydro.mb.ca.

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Westman Association of Safety Professionals

WASP - Taking the Sting out of Safety!

The Westman Association of Safety Professionals is a proposed safety association similar to the Accident Prevention Association of Manitoba and the Canadian Society of Safety Engineers. WASP would present a brainstorming and networking opportunity for safety professionals to meet three to four times per year with others who are interested in safety/health issues and workplace safety. This association is being proposed in light of the increasing awareness for safety in the workplace and the benefits of sharing gathered information.

WASP's initial meeting will be held Wednesday, April 27, 2005 at 6:30 pm at the Victoria Inn in Brandon , Manitoba. The Construction Safety Association of Manitoba (CSAM) has been in contact with the Assistant Deputy Minister for Labour and Immigration, Mr. Don Hurst, and schedule permitting, he will attend as the guest speaker. As this would be a dinner meeting, there is a cost of $15.00/person.

If interested in attending or being a part of WASP, please RSVP to Belva McKinnon at CSAM's Brandon Office by April 22, 2005 by tel (728-3456), fax (727-1048), or email belva@constructionsafety.ca.

CSAM's Brandon Office is located at 950 – 10th Street , Unit B, Brandon MB R7A 6B5, tel (204)728-3456, fax (204)727-1048, email: Richard McCallum, Safety Advisor, dick@constructionsafety.ca,

or Belva McKinnon, Administration Assistant, belva@constructionsafety.ca.

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COR Certification

2005 COR Certified Companies

CSAM and WCA congratulate the following companies who have achieved COR Certification in 2005 (thus far), verifying the implementation of an effective safety and health program:

3-Phase Electrical Ltd

Gateway Construction & Engineering Ltd

Jamieson-Judd Ltd

Kensington Homes

Saras Enterprises Ltd

Westwood Mechanical Inc

Are YOU interested in COR Certification? It is definitely worth a serious look .........................

COR Certified Companies average WCB target rate is 50% lower than the industry average - which interprets into less incidents, less claims, and less cost.

The Certificate of Recognition (COR) Program is an occupational health and safety certification program for construction industry employers aimed at reducing the human and financial costs associated with workplace accidents and injuries. It may also be used as a prequalification requirement for contractors working in and out-of-province.

For more information regarding COR Certification and programming, contact CSAM in Winnipeg at tel: (204)775-3171, email safety@constructionsafety.ca or

in Brandon at tel: (204)728-3456, email dick@constructionsafety.ca.

CSAM website: www.constructionsafety.ca.

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Randall Plumbing & Heating Ltd

Celebrating 100 Years in Business

Randall Plumbing & Heating Ltd celebrated their centennial year on Friday, April 15, 2005 at the Canad Inn Polo Park. A client appreciation lunch was held with approximately 130 guests in attendance. The celebration picked up again in the evening where 80 retirees and business associates were honoured and treated to a commemorative dinner; followed by a reception where up to 400 members of the industry gathered to congratulate and celebrate Randall's history in the business.

In attendance from WCA were President George Rajotte and Executive Vice-President Ron Hambley who presented Randall's three partners, Tom Sheldon, Marc Lynch and Brad Marr with a commemorative “100 years in business” plaque. Guests were also treated to a historical display of tools, books and other trade secrets, dating back to the early 20th century.

A historical souvenir booklet may be available to industry members by contacting Randall Plumbing & Heating Ltd at (204) 775-8406.

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Edited by Jackie Petrus,

WCA Construction News Reporter.

Copyright of Winnipeg Construction Association © 2005.

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Winnipeg Construction Association is located at 290 Burnell Street, Winnipeg, MB R3G 2A7

(204)775-8664