Ball Construction begins first Gold Seal managed project in Ontario
Participating companies all have certified supervisory personnel

A $25 million addition to The Perimeter Institute of Theoretical Physics in Waterloo is being undertaken as a Gold Seal-managed project, the first of its kind in the province.

“This (designation) assures that the Perimeter Institute will receive the highest standards in construction available anywhere,” said project manager Cameron Ball of Ball Construction, whose firm is the project’s construction manager.

Approximately 50 Gold Seal-certified individuals will be working on the 54,000-square-foot addition, designed by Toronto’s Teeple Architects and slated for completion in June of 2011.

The Gold Seal program is a national certification program for construction project managers, superintendents, estimators and other supervisory personnel. Certification is based on the candidate’s education, experience and ability to satisfy program standards.

The Waterloo project’s designation as a Gold Seal managed project means that all trade contractors undertaking contracts valued at more than $100,000 must have at least one Gold Seal certified professional on site, said Ball Construction president Jason Ball.

The four-storey addition features an ionized exterior and glass to match the existing Caroline Street building. The steel superstructure has been completed.

Ball Construction president Jason Ball, Perimeter Institute chief operating officer Michael Duschenes and Canadian Construction Association chair Wayne Morsky.

Ball, whose firm last month won four awards in the Grand Valley Construction Association’s Building Excellence program, said his company pitched the idea of designating the project as Gold Seal managed to the institute.

“They have a really unique facility,” he said. “And the design of the addition is outstanding. They were in favour of implementing a program that ensures excellence during construction.”

Ball Construction has its own Gold Seal certified personnel on site.

GVCA president Martha George said the Perimeter Institute is known for scientific research “that pushes the limits of our understanding of physical laws and develops groundbreaking new ideas that change the way we think about the universe.

“The construction industry of Waterloo region, under the leadership of Ball Construction, feels strongly that the building itself be constructed in accordance with the highest standards in construction, which means it has to be a Gold Seal managed project.”

The Canadian Construction Association, which administers the program, said the Waterloo project is the first of its kind in Ontario.

A barbeque celebration was held on site last week.

“We’re looking forward to opening in about a year’s time, on time and on budget,” said Michael Duschenes, the Perimeter Institute’s chief operating officer.

PATRICIA WILLIAMS
Staff Writer, Daily Commercial News