By KELLY LOUISEIZE
Northern Ontario Business
North Bay is expected to top its total construction value this year with ongoing projects and new initiatives.
Last year the city’s total construction costs were estimated at $33 million. This year Rick Evans, manager of the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development, says the city will easily reach the $40-million mark.
Each city strives for a blend of institutional and private construction activity, Evan adds. This year North Bay’s construction sector appears to be balanced.
“I’d like to think it is a result of good planning, but really there is an element of luck too.”
A total of approximately nine large construction projects, all at various stages, are expected to impact the city’s economy.
Bird Construction Company Ltd. of Etobicoke was awarded the $17.5-million contract for the first stage of the modernization and relocation of North America Air Defense (NORAD) Air Operations Centre in North Bay. The $23-million above ground project will help to secure the operation’s future, and the estimated 600 jobs. Once completed, the 9,560-square-metre facility will deliver air defence through state-of-the art internal
communications systems.
“It is a big win/ win and it is one that the mayor is particularly enthusiastic about, so you know you are going to get all kinds of political support to move this one forward,” Evans says.
No announcements on further tenders have been made public for the remaining work.
Another project is slated to begin by the lakefront. Dalron Construction will be building a 185-unit retirement facility this year, called the Marina Point Village. The $20-million building is expected to be finished in two years and will complement the expansion currently being completed at the retirement home, Empire Living Centre.
In addition to community living space development, there will also be condominium construction. An estimated 44 units will be housed in the
Lakeview Condominium projects to be located on the shores of Lake Nipissing, as well as 12 units scheduled for Trout Lake. Both initiatives are slated to begin construction in 2004.
North Bay is also developing a $211.9-million health centre that will be completed by 2007. The board expects to announce the successful bidder by September of this year, based on ministry approval. A total of 388 beds will be available to North Bay General Hospital and Northeast Mental Health Centre.
In the education sector, Nipissing University is also scheduled to add a $10-million student residence to their property this year. The post-secondary facility has held a public meeting and has entered into a state plan and control process. The board will be able to obtain a building permit as early as April. Construction will likely begin by mid summer, Ian Kilgour, North Bay’s city planner, says.
Canadore College’s $5-million residence is currently in progress with the completion date set for September 2004.
As well, the Conseil public du Nord-Est de l’Ontario is also moving fast on a new $10-million French high school. Construction is expected to begin
May 1, with tendering expected to be announced in the next few weeks. They want to be open for business September, 2005.
