Building the Grande Prairie and Peace Region 2023

BUILDINGthe Grande Prairie Peace Region &

Activity and Reception Centre opens in Grande Prairie

Construction is almost complete on St. Patrick Catholic School

New Bike Skills Park opens in Crystal Lake

Q&A from the outgoing president of the GPCA, David Brinkman

from the COO of the GPCA, Carmen Lemay

from the Premier of Alberta, the Honourable Danielle Smith

from the Minister of Infrastructure, Nathan Neudorf

from the Mayor of Grande Prairie, Jackie Clayton

CCA securing a strong future for the industry through collective advocacy

BUILDING the Grande Prairie & Peace Region

is published by DEL Communications Inc.

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Contributing Writers

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KELSEY JAMES

MARY VAN BUREN

CHANEL ROBERTS

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Q&A from the outgoing president of the GPCA DAVID BRINKMAN

Tell me about yourself and how long you have been president of the GPCA for. Previously, how were you involved with the GPCA and for how long?

I am the owner/operator of Valor Fire Protection here in Grande Prairie. I served as president of the GPCA for a year-and-a-half and have been a board member since 2016. I have held various roles, primarily I head the social committee assisting in our yearly events.

What are some major projects in the area and why is this exciting?

Some major projects that come to mind in the city of Grande Prairie are the new schools being built –the St. Patrick replacement school and Harry Belfour replacement school. New schools mean municipal growth, so that is great to see. There is also the twinning of Highway 40, which is ongoing and producing industrial opportunities south of town.

Grande Prairie seems to grow residentially year to year, opening up population growth and strengthened communities boosting the economy. Commercial expansion usually follows these areas, creating even more employment opportunities. Overall, Grande Prairie will remain one of the fastest-growing cities for years to come.

What are some initiatives and main priorities for the association this year?

Our mission for 2023 is to promote more networking events in order to join and strengthen our local businesses. We are working towards plans to draw more skilled labour to the region and this starts with our Trades Café events where we showcase our various trades to students from the area.

Apprenticeship training will also be at the forefront of our priorities in order to build a stronger future of local trades. We are also working to launch our new website fully by spring which will help employees and employers alike.

How has the association evolved since you’ve been a member? Why should one join the association?

To be perfectly honest, the GPCA has had to make some big changes to stay relevant in an ever-changing environment. We work constantly on new ideas and directions to add value to our membership. This is mostly encompassed with the new website as we steer to serve employees and employers directly.

Why should you join the GPCA? It takes numbers to have your voice heard as we push for more trades training locally so we keep our skilled labour here, it takes numbers to have our voices heard on the provincial level, and it takes numbers to ensure fair dealings throughout the building process so we can eliminate some of the red tape and progress efficiently with expanding our city. Plus, we have some of the best events, in my opinion, to show our gratitude for all our local trades.

What do members have to look forward to this year?

As always, we will have events all year long providing great opportunities to get together with your fellow employers and employees. Our website will launch, creating a one-stop employer/employee shop to attain information on employment opportunities, business development, event calendars, training, safety forums, membership news, and much more. l

Your ACSA helps you create a safer workplace.

We equip health and safety leaders with quality training, Certificate of Recognition programs, and professional designations.

Learn in the way that works for you:

• In-person classes

• Virtual instructor-led training (vILT)

• On-demand, online courses

Build the best management system for your team:

• Certificate of Recognition (COR)

• Small Employer Certificate of Recognition (SECOR)

• Temporary Letter of Certification

Earn your safety designation:

• National Health and Safety Administrator (NHSA)

• National Construction Safety Officer (NCSO)

Message from the COO of the GPCA CARMEN LEMAY

I have been with the GPCA for 14 years and in this time have seen many changes in the construction industry, as well as with skilled workers, our networking events, and the association itself. Around the board room we often have discussions about member benefits, networking, and advocacy, and asking “why do the members need us?”. We do this so we can continue to improve the services we offer. We want to hear from our members and future members on these topics so we can continue to provide you with the services and opportunities you need/want.

A few stats from 2022:

• We had 294 projects closed in our BuildWorks planroom.

• Membership ended at 85 full members, 51 corporate members, and four associate members.

In April we hired a part-time employee, Amber. She works two days a week and she will be getting her Commissioner for Oaths in the very near future.

2022 was the first year we had a corporate golf membership at Bear Creek Golf Course, and this was a new member benefit that

we added. In total, 25 members took advantage of these savings and were very happy to have this new opportunity. We will be bringing it back again for 2023.

Our new website is up and running now, training is going to be starting for staff, and we can get the member directory up and going once this is completed. There will be a member-only section on the site that will have a lot of information, resumes, and quick access for members. The job board will also be back and better once the training is complete.

We will be focusing on more of the advocacy and networking opportunities for 2023 including:

• Meetings with Grande Prairie City Council, the Grande Prairie Chamber of Commerce, and Northwest Polytechnic

• Chili & Crib Event, Appreciation BBQ, Golf, and more Contact emails for staff are:

Accounting/Course Registrations: Carmen at carmen@gpca.ca

Print Requests/BuildWorks: Amber at office@gpca.ca l

WE ARE COMMUNITY BUILDERS

Building thriving communities inspires everything we do. Let’s make an impact together.

Message from the Minister of Infrastructure NATHAN NEUDORF

Hello, on behalf of the Government of Alberta, it is my pleasure to extend greetings to the members of the Grande Prairie Construction Association. Thank you for the incredible work you do day-in and day-out to help provide Alberta’s public infrastructure.

My ministry of Infrastructure is responsible for delivering about one quarter of the government’s Capital Plan investment. Our efforts are focused on ensuring construction of new public facilities, as well as renovation, renewal, and maintenance of existing buildings throughout the province.

Through the 2023 Capital Plan, the Alberta government is investing $23 billion over three years into enhancing public infrastructure. This investment is helping to secure Alberta’s future by growing the economy and creating thousands of infrastructure jobs related to planning, design, and construction.

In Grande Prairie and the Peace region, work is underway on five school projects:

• Construction of the Grande Prairie Composite High School replacement facility is complete and opened in September 2022. Demolition of the old school is scheduled for completion in 2023.

• In Grande Prairie, the replacement of St. Patrick Catholic School is expected to be completed for the September 2023 school year and the construction of the new Harry Balfour School is anticipated to be completed in 2024.

• The École des Quatre-Vents in Peace River is expected to be completed for the September 2023 school year.

• Construction is beginning for the addition and modernization of an existing school to better meet the needs of students in the Fort Vermilion/Peace River region.

The 2023 Capital Plan also includes new funding for two more school projects: design funds for a new facility to replace the Red Earth Creek School, and planning funds for a new Peace Wapiti School Division high school.

Additionally, new Capital Plan funding is being provided to plan expansion options for the Grande Prairie Courthouse.

The Alberta government is following through on its commitment to build the new La Crete Maternity and Community Health Centre. The health centre is in the design phase with construction anticipated to start in 2024.

Another part of my ministry’s responsibilities is to lead our government’s effort to ensure our province gets its fair share of federal funding to help build the province. Alberta Infrastructure has been instrumental in securing billions in federal funding, which includes funding from the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP).

Here in the Grande Prairie and Peace regions, through ICIP, the Alberta government and Government of Canada together are investing $70 million into 26 infrastructure projects. This includes completed or current construction, upgrades or repairs to recreational, cultural, educational, and water and wastewater treatment facilities, parks, playgrounds, trails, transit systems, and the Grande Prairie Animal Pound expansion and new Emergency Response and Activity Centre.

I want the Grande Prairie Construction Association members to know that I believe we are key partners in providing needed infrastructure, creating jobs, and growing the economy. I thank you for your ongoing commitment and excellence, and I look forward to working with you.

Working in my capacity as the Minister of Infrastructure has been incredibly fulfilling and encouraging as I represent our province in many different meetings, sit-downs, AGMs, the list goes on. After the past two years of virtual meetings, it has been great to spend time with people across the province and work with them to better our province. As your minister, I am committed to ensuring that the Government of Alberta is working as collaboratively with industry as possible to achieve the best value for all Albertans and our industry partners. l

Message from the Mayor of Grande Prairie JACKIE CLAYTON

In 2022, the City of Grande Prairie set out on a path prioritizing sustainable and tactful infrastructure improvements that support a strong quality of life for decades to come.

Creating a strong quality of life in Grande Prairie is this council’s core purpose as outlined in the 2022 to 2025 Council Strategic Plan. This is supported by three pillars:

• Innovative Efficiencies & Economic Readiness

• Inclusive & Caring Community

• Engaging Relationships

I am pleased to report that over the course of 2022, the City invested $28 million in local projects to improve and build new infrastructure and amenities. Key City projects completed through this investment include:

• The completion of Phase 4 of the Downtown Rehabilitation and Streetscapes Project, adding to the vibrancy and urban atmosphere in the City’s core. Our city centre is now better positioned to accommodate higher-density development and future growth.

• Replacement of four playgrounds, each location receiving a full playground replacement, including protective surfacing, borders, and equipment. The playground replacements are partially funded by the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) which granted the City $300,000.

• The installation of 24 picnic tables to increase connection and gathering in greenspaces throughout Grande Prairie.

• The addition of 6.28 kilometres of pedestrian links including:

– A new trail north of 100 Avenue and west of 108 Street.

– New sidewalks on 94 Avenue from Resources Road to the west.

• 37 kilometre lane lengths of roadway repaired through road rehabilitation, helping ensure transportation and trade routes are well maintained.

• Upgrades to the old Highway 43 bypass continued in 2022, including:

– Adding a third lane to 100 Street southbound from north of 124 Avenue to north of 116 Avenue, a recommendation from the City’s current Transportation Master Plan.

– Storm infrastructure removal and replacement, concrete removals and installation, roadway reconstruction, line painting, signage and landscaping.

• Construction of two baseball diamonds at the South Bear Creek Park Baseball Diamond Complex. The park is enjoyed by over 3,000 people in recreational and competitive leagues of all ages, making it a valuable amenity in the community for recreation and sports development.

• Completion of the North Bike Skills Park in Crystal Lake Park. This amenity was added to create additional outdoor recreation in the north sector of the city and encourage an active outdoor lifestyle

Build on what matters most.

in the community, adding to our quality of life.

In 2022, we saw many positive indicators that the economy is well positioned for future sustainability. These indicators include:

• Over $10 billion in planned and proposed major industrial projects around the region.

• The local unemployment rate dropped from 6.9 per cent in December 2021 to 5.2 per cent in December 2022.

• An estimated 250 businesses opened in Grande Prairie in 2022.

• 1,026 drilling licenses were issued in the Grande Prairie region this year, up over 29 per cent from the 791 drilling licenses for 2021.

• 2022 ended with 8,684 over-dimensional vehicles passing through the city, a 13 per cent increase over the same period last year.

• 741 building permits worth over $116.8 million were issued by the City, up from the 637 building permits worth over $84.7 million issued for 2021.

With these positive economic indicators in mind, we look forward to continued growth and recovery in 2023.

Thank you all for your commitment to building our community and our region, I wish you a prosperous 2023. l

Ryan

Patrick Kostiuk 780-513-5635

CCA securing a strong future for the industry through collective advocacy

BY MARY VAN BUREN, PRESIDENT, CANADIAN CONSTRUCTION ASSOCIATION

Representing 20,000+ member firms, the Canadian Construction Association (CCA) is proud of our mission to inspire a progressive, innovative, and sustainable construction industry.

The key to our success is working with valued partner associations like the Grande Prairie Construction Association. We are powered by your engagement. Together, we are driving change on key issues that make a real impact, not only for the industry, but for all Canadians.

A smart infrastructure plan backed by investment

As the industry’s national advocate, the CCA has been working to help shape a long-term plan for sustainable infrastructure investment. In our meetings with government leaders and reinforced by our advocacy strategies, the CCA has always

maintained that one size does not fit all. Every region and municipality, including our Indigenous communities, have different needs and priorities.

We need to move from quick fixes to a strategy that focuses on long-term solutions and value for Canadians in the regions they live. It is why we engage with our local construction association partners and members – to learn first-hand what is important to you and your community.

Over the past two years, the CCA has been actively engaged to drive more investment in key trade gateways and corridors across the country. This included partnering with the Western Canada Roadbuilders & Heavy Construction Association and bringing in national partners, like Export Development Canada, the Business Council of Canada, and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, to build the support we need among politi-

cians and Canadians. The CCA helped fund the report, From shovel ready to shovel worthy, to strengthen our case. We are also supporting a media and government relations outreach campaign to create more momentum and support for this initiative. We are gaining traction, and our goal is to have this important issue reflected in the 2024 Federal Budget.

Workforce an urgent priority

More than 70 members from across Canada and representing all sectors of the construction industry met with parliamentarians from all parties to discuss the labour crisis and urgent need to Rebuild Canada’s workforce NOW during CCA’s annual Hill Day on November 15. Our collective efforts to bring this message locally, provincially, and federally has generated government support for investing in promotion of the trades and changes to immigration, including increasing immigration to help ease the shortfall.

The urgent need for skilled trade workers is also receiving nationwide attention as we work to build the number of apprentices through our partnership with the Canadian Apprenticeship Service and turn construction into a first-choice career through our industry-wide Talent Fits Here campaign.

Fair procurement

The CCA’s semi-annual Meech Lake meeting with government leaders resulted in a

ACA Advocacy Update

BY KEN GIBSON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ALBERTA CONSTRUCTION ASSOCIATION

ACA Advocacy with new premier and cabinet paying dividends for membership

Alberta Construction Association (ACA) advocacy is reflected in ministerial mandate letters across government that address key issues for Alberta’s contractors. Mandate letters can be found at open.alberta.ca/ publications/mandate-letters-to-ministers-2022. Highlights include:

• Sustained infrastructure investment including trade corridors to support Albertan’s quality of life and economic prosperity;

• Best value procurement and standardized contracts to reduce risk.;

• Extending prompt payment provisions to Government of Alberta contracts.

• Promoting trades education, working training, recognition of out of province credentials, fostering opportunities for people from under-represented communities, and expanded Provincial Nominee Program;

• Continued red tape reduction with an emphasis on streamlined permitting and land titles processes;

• Complete Occupational Health & Safety Code review and more focus on mental health supports to keep workers safe;

• Review Building Code changes to ensure safety and affordability;

New Infrastructure Minister Nathan Neudorf comes from our industry, having owned his own firm as a carpentry subcontracting, having worked for a general contractor, and having served as a consultant for several public owners. Neudorf is a former chair of the Lethbridge Construction Association and a former board member of the ACA.

Infrastructure

Some of the issues the ACA looks forward to working with the Infrastructure Minister and the Government include:

• Extending prompt pay to projects under the Public Works Act;

• Lack of transparency and variability regarding future projects, funding, timing, delivery, project budget, impacting industry’s ability to plan. It takes years of steady work to produce skilled design consultants, tradespeople, and project managers. Swings in infrastructure spending inevitably lead to periods in which industry capacity can’t meet demand without price increases at the expense of taxpayers;

• Relations that are contractual and transactional rather than collaborative;

• Inappropriate allocation of risk;

• The revision of GoA agreements removing

all forms of alternative dispute resolution, leaving the courts as the only option;

• Contractor selection primarily based on low price, treating construction as a commodity, rather than selection on best value and innovation treating construction as a specialized service;

The ACA will carry these themes forward in our advocacy for the upcoming provincial election, slated for May 29, 2023.

Builders’ Liens and Prompt Pay

Prompt pay came into effect for contracts signed after August 29, 2022.

The ACA successfully advocated for Land Title provisions to speed up resolution of liens in the Government’s Pending Registration Queue system, and to overturn stop payments on progress draws by Alberta Infrastructure where a court order signaled pending removal of the lien on school projects.

ACA Forms A and B contracts and the Builders’ Lien Plain Language Guide have been updated to reflect the new Act. Two new ACA Plain Language Guides (Prompt Pay Provisions; Prompt Pay Adjudication process) are also now available through the ACA website at albertaconstruction. net/documents/.

The industry consortium of the ACA, Alberta Trade Contractors Coalition, Municipalities Alberta Association, and Consulting Engineers of Alberta will not submit at this

time a proposal to government to act as a nominating authority to accredit prompt pay adjudicators and manage the adjudication process. The ACA is concerned that the proposed administrative responsibilities contemplated in the regulations run counter to the goal of affordable costs borne by parties to an adjudication. The ACA will advocate for choice amongst nominating authorities to best serve industry.

Apprenticeship, Skills, and Workforce Development

The ACA continues to advocate for a stronger industry role in vocational education and apprenticeship, offering to assist the new Skilled Trades Apprenticeship Board with industry engagement.

The ACA met with the Minister of Skilled Trades to reinforce the need for the apprenticeship system to maintain quality and address skill shortages and followed up advocating for new incremental funding to train the increase in apprentices registered with Alberta colleges and polytechnics.

I have been appointed to the Premier’s Council on Skills. The council is to provide advice on issues and emerging trends with respect to the skills needed in Alberta’s workforce, particularly as they relate to educational programming in Alberta’s adult learning system.

The ACA develops recommendations to improve federal immigration

Skilled foreign trained tradespeople can become productive permanent residents that mentor Canadian apprentices to help address chronic labour shortages. The ACA shared industry recommendations on recommended improvements to federal immigration programs.

The ACA continues to oppose wage scales on federal construction contracts

The ACA applauded the 2014 repeal of the Federal Fair Wages Act in 2014. Upon

learning that wage scales are under consideration to achieve a more favourable investment tax credit, the ACA has reiterated its concerns with the current federal government about bureaucrats replacing the marketplace to determine fair wages.

Construction remains the third-highest wage industry in Alberta after oil and gas and utilities.

Worker Lending Pilot Program

Your local construction association in partnership with Alberta Construction Association is pleased to offer a pilot service for the 2023 construction season (March to August) to identify trusted contractors to help you share your employees with when you are in surplus position, and to draw employees from when you are short.

We hope that your firm will be busy all season. Sometimes beyond your control projects don’t always start when you expect and you have good people without enough work for them. Sometimes you win more work and need to temporarily mobilize more workers.

Lending workers to trusted contractors:

• Shows your employees you care about

making sure they have a steady paycheque;

• Ensures that they can get the necessary hours for apprenticeship completion .

Borrowing workers from a trusted contractor:

• Allows for better planning and cost control.

There is no cost for this pilot program given the generous funding support of Alberta Ministry of Labour and Immigration.

Participate Now

See lending and borrowing opportunities in your region on the web portal - www. constructionworkerexchange.ca/lendingopportunities

Register for regular updates in your regionwww.constructionworkerexchange.ca/ register-for-updates

Post a borrowing or lending opportunity to the website- www.constructionworkerexchange.ca/post-opportunity

GOLD SEAL CERTIFICATION –Become a recognized employer

The Canadian Construction Association’s (CCA) Gold Seal Certification Program can help your company attract, grow, and retain top talent

BY CHANEL ROBERTS, MANAGER, EDUCATION AND GOLD SEAL CERTIFICATION PROGRAM, CANADIAN CONSTRUCTION ASSOCIATION

With over 11,000 Gold Seal Certified (GSC) professionals across Canada, the Canadian Construction Association’s (CCA) Gold Seal Certification Program is the industry’s nationally recognized certification. Gold Seal construction management professionals have attained the highest standard of excellence in the industry, have proven industry experience, and are held in high regard. Through professional development and continued mentorship, this professional certification program is focused on helping individuals achieve excellence through education, training, and skills development.

Become a Gold Seal Employer

Employers who support their employees’ professional development are seen as

industry leaders. Becoming a Gold Seal Employer capitalizes on the integrity and prestige of the Gold Seal Certification and profiles your commitment to excellence in the management of construction.

“We recruit, retain, and develop the best construction professionals in the industry,” says Allan MacIntosh, president of Marco. “Gold Seal Certification and our status as a Gold Seal Employer demonstrate our commitment to excellence. We are proud to tell our clients that by placing their trust in Marco – ‘Builders of Atlantic Canada’ – their projects will be managed by Gold Seal Certified personnel. We strongly believe that having a certified team inspires confidence from owners, designers, and our subtrade partners.”

Key advantages of being a Gold Seal Employer include:

1. Demonstrating your preference for construction professionals who have earned a nationally respected certification.

2. Industry recognition for supporting continuous professional development.

3. Maintaining a competitive advantage and ensuring that clients understand that your company’s construction projects consistently set the gold standard with Gold Seal Certified professionals.

4. Opportunities for Gold Seal Project recognition, providing increased promotion and exposure for featured projects.

5. Advocating for the Gold Seal Certification Program.

Get the best people for the job

Including information on Gold Seal Certification on your website’s careers section and in job postings can benefit your company in many ways. Having a clearly defined and articulated way of growing talent and investing in professional development is an incentive for applicants and can help differentiate your company from the competition. By asking for the certification in job postings or by listing it as an asset, you can showcase your appreciation and support of professionalism.

Gold Seal Projects

Having your project recognized as a certified Gold Seal Project is also a great way to encourage eligible jobsite staff to become certified and gain visibility for your commitment to professional development.

Gold Seal Projects promote the value of Gold Seal Certified professionals on a project site and educate those who are noncertified about the value of certification. A Gold Seal Project demonstrates a compa-

ny’s ability to manage and undertake challenging construction projects and showcases their professionalism and expertise in the construction industry.

To learn more about Gold Seal Certification, visit cca-acc.com/workforceexcellence/gold-seal.

To learn more about Gold Seal Projects, visit cca-acc.com/workforce-excellence/ gold-seal/gold-seal-projects/.

To inquire about becoming a Gold Seal Employer, contact the Gold Seal team at goldseal@cca-acc.com. l

GP Landscaping Ltd.

Harold Schalin Journeyman Landscape Gardener Landscaping since 1987

P: 780-539-0078

F: 780-513-6117

E-mail: gplandscaping@telus.net

www.gplandscaping.net

The Commercial & Estate Landscaper of Choice

“We commit to treating you, our customer with integrity; and to providing you excellent service at a fair competitive price.”

Harold Schalin

GPCA 2023 Executive & Board of Directors

2023 Executive & Office Staff

President: Andre Deslauriers – Kamwin Electric

9607 112 Street, Grande Prairie, AB T8V 6G8

Tel: 780-532-4416

Email: andre@kamwin.ca

Vice- President: Glenn Penner – HWD Construction

10533 98 Avenue, Grande Prairie, AB T8V 4L1

Tel: 780-538-3616

Email: glenn@hwdconstruction.com

Past President: David Brinkman, Valor Fire Protection

8909 61 Avenue, Grande Prairie, AB T8W 2P3

Tel: 780-380-5100 | Email: dave@valorfirepro.ca

Treasurer: Michelle Pelletier –Custom Communications & Security

10008 103 Avenue, Grande Prairie, AB T8V 1B8

Tel: 780-538-2012

Email: michelle@ccsigp.ca

Vice Treasurer: Justin Staffen – JMS Construction 104, 8901 156 Avenue, Grande Prairie, AB T8V 2N6

Tel: 780-876-8491

Email: justin@jmsconstruction.ca

Chief Operating Officer: Carmen Lemay –Grande Prairie Construction Association

11439 98 Avenue, Grande Prairie, AB T8V 5S5

Tel: 780-532-4548

Email: carmen@gpca.ca

2023 Board of Directors

Craig Halls

G & M Plumbing & Heating

8620 110 Street

Grande Prairie, AB T8V 8K1

Ph: 780-538-3222

Email: craig@gmplumbing.ca

Jaime Hebert

M & R Plumbing & Heating Box 374

Grande Prairie, AB T8V 3A5

Ph: 780-567-2477

Email: office@mandrplumbing.ca

Jamie Rich Ruskin Construction Ltd.

4101 97 Street

County of GP No.1, AB T8W 5A8

Ph: 780-538-1919

Email: jrich@rcl.bz

Jeff Hinz LSM

10910 97 Avenue

Grande Prairie, AB T8V 3J8

Ph: 780-532-4418

Email:jhinz@golsm.com

Honourary Board Members

Jill Caine LSM

10910 97 Avenue

Grande Prairie, AB T8V 3J8

Ph: 780-532-4418

Email: jcaine@golsm.com

Jon Halls Absolute HVAC 6214 90 A Street

Grande Prairie, AB T8W 2M5

Ph: 780-882-5946

Email: jonhalls@absolute-hvac.com

Adria Mathisen | Ernie Dewhurst | Denise McCarty | Ron Peterson

WHERE THE WORK IS.

BuildWorks Projects

Over 7,500 construction opportunities reported on across AB, SK, and MB annually. BuildWorks Canada is your Locally connected source for construction opportunities.

BuildWorks Directory

The most comprehensive listing of qualified contractors and service providers in the industry. Find better partners, and list your company to be seen, get invited, and win more work!

BuildWorks On Demand

A growing number of companies are using BuildWorks On Demand for private, secure, invitations to bid. This zero-cost service streamlines communication and document distribution, saving you time and money.

For more information, contact your Local Construction Association or visit www.buildworkscanada.com

2023 GPCA Committees

ACA Director

Jeff Hinz LSM

Tel: 780-532-4418

Email: jhinz@golsm.com

Glenn Penner

HWD Construction

Tel: 780-538-3616

Email: glenn@hwdconstruction.com

ACSA/WCB/Safety

Jeff Hinz LSM

Tel: 780-532-4418

Email: jhinz@golsm.com

Jill Caine

LSM

Tel: 780-532-4418

Email: jcaine@golsm.com

Government Action

Jamie Rich Ruskin Construction

Tel: 780-538-1919

Email: jrich@rcl.bz

Jon Halls

Absolute HVAC

Tel: 780-882-5946

Email: jonhalls@absolute-hvac.com

Partnerships with Education Awards & Scholarships

Andre Deslauriers

Kamwin Electric

Tel: 780-532-4416

Email: andre@kamwin.ca

Jaime Hebert

M & R Plumbing & Heating

Tel: 780-567-2477

Email: office@mandrplumbing.ca

Dave Brinkman dave@valorfirepro.ca

Justin Staffen justin@jmsconstruction.ca

Social/Marketing Committee

David Brinkman

Valor Fire Protection

Tel: 780-380-5100

Email: dave@valorfirepro.ca

Craig Halls

G & M Plumbing & Heating

Tel: 780-538-3222

Email: craig@gmplumbing.ca

Nichole Staffen admin@jmsconstruction.ca

Jon Halls jon.halls@absolute-hvac.com

Jaime Hebert office@mandrplumbing.ca

Contracts & Trade Definitions

Glenn Penner HWD Construction

Tel: 780-538-3616

Email: glenn@hwdconstruction.com

Justin Staffen

JMS Construction

Tel: 780-876-8491

Email: justin@jmsconstruction.ca

GPCA Social Committee Report

The Social Committee brought us four events in 2022:

• Morning Coffee Mixer

• Chili & Crib Event

Morning Coffee Mixer

• Member Appreciation BBQ

• Golf

The Morning Coffee Mixer was held in the Valor Shop right behind our office, and donuts and coffee were served. Approximately 10 people attended. We do hope to bring more of these back this year.

Chili & Crib Event

We decided to combine the Chili & Crib Event together in hopes to bring more people out. We held this at the Grande Prairie Curling Club. A big thank you to our judges for bravely testing all the chili’s and choosing the winner. We had five entries this year and Councillor Chris Thiessen presented Nichole Staffen with the winning chili title. The Crib Tournament saw 27 crib players, which was an amazing turnout! We are so very thankful for all those that attended. Chili & Crib will be back on April 21, 2023.

Clockwise from left: Chili winner, Nichole Staffen; Chilis at the Chili & Crib event; and the judges testing the chili.

Annual Appreciation BBQ

The weather for our Annual Appreciation BBQ was not promising, but we had many people still attend. Bandaged Paws attended with the most adorable puppies ever, Steps for Life Grande Prairie also attended.

Thank you to:

• Bandaged Paws & Steps for Life Grande Prairie for being there to share with everyone.

• Freson Bros IGA for the donation of chips.

• South Wapiti Meats for the amazing deal on burgers.

• Northern Metalic for the use of the BBQ.

• Valor Fire Protection for providing the shop.

• Everyone that came out to show their support.

This year the BBQ will once again be behind the shop at our office on May 26, 2023.

Clockwise from left: BBQ masters, Preston and Ron; Bandaged Paws attended the Annual Appreciation BBQ with the most adorable puppies; Annual Appreciation BBQ; and Amber, Sam and Carmen snuggling the puppies.

2015 Canadian Industrial Building of the Year by Butler.

2016 Canadian Industrial Building of the Year by Butler.

Annual Golf Tournament

Our golf tournament was another amazing success and we could not have asked for warmer weather. We were at the Dunes Golf & Country Club for the 2022 tournament and will be back for the 2023 tournament as well.

Winners of the tournament were: Geoff Moyles, Nathan Bidwell, and Lanny Lock.

2022 Sponsors

Title Sponsor

Putting Sponsor

Shooter Hole Sponsor

Lunch Sponsor

Hole-In-One Sponsors

Beverage Sponsors

Cart Sponsor

Mulligan Sponsors

Specialists

Hole Sponsors

Absolute HVAC

Bull Mechanical

Cat the Rental Store

Celtic Construction

Clark Builders

Cloverdale Paints

Cutline Painting

Everlast Plumbing & Heating

GFL Environmental

GP Regional Safety Committee

Green Acre Ventures

Gurevitch Burnham Law Office

HWD Construction

Kamwin Electric

Knelsen Sand & Gravel

LanTech Services

LSM

MNP LLP

Nelson Lumber

NK5 Mechanical

Northern Doors

MEMBERS OF

Northern Metalic

Southwest Design & Construction

Wapiti Gravel Suppliers

Wayne’s Building Products

Platinum Sponsor

Northern Metalic

Gold Sponsors

ACSA

Greenham Woodworking

Herc Rentals

Navada Bobs

Northern Doors

Prairie Mall

Ultimate Productions l

Northern Roof-Life Specialists

Consulting • Condition Reports • Thermography

Specifications and Tendering Quality Control Inspections

Dawson Creek, BC 250-782-6878

Dick Van Genne RRO

Terrace, BC 250-641-4204

Mike Van Genne

Grande Prairie, AB 780-538-4190

Mel Hoffart RRO

Email: mel@topsideconsulting.ca

RCABC and ARCA Accepted Inspectors

Partnerships with education

The Grande Prairie Construction Association issued three scholarships to very deserving recipients from member companies:

• David Douillard – Kamwin Electric

• Elijah Cardinal – LSM

• Karl Whillier – M&R Plumbing & Heating

We didn’t receive as many applicants as previous years and we feel this is attributed to the drop in apprenticeship applications within the industry.

Unfortunately, we did not host our annual Trades Café in 2022.

On March 7, 2023 we held our Trades Café at the City of Grande Prairie Activity and Reception Centre. We had 23 booths attend this year and 144 students come through. We want to send a big thank you to the City

of Grande Prairie for the use of the Activity and Reception Centre, this venue was exactly what we were needing for this event.

Venue Sponsor:

• HWD Construction

• Kamwin Electric

• LED Services

• LSM

• M&R Plumbing & Heating

• Modern Decore

• New Horizon Co-Op

• Northern Doors

• Northwest Polytechnic

Booths that were in attendance included:

• Arctic Crane

• Atco Electric

• Careers Next Generation

• GP Lawn Doctor

• G&R Insulating

• Grande Prairie Regional Safety Committee

• One Beauty Academy

• Pat’s Auto

• Serv-All Mechanical Services

• Sundown Oilfield

• Valor Fire Protection

• Woman Building Futures l

Steps for Life: We walk together

There’s strength in numbers, but there’s also empathy, encouragement, and shared passion for a cause. When it comes to Steps for Life – Walking for Families of Workplace Tragedy, the empathy and encouragement are for those who’ve experienced a work-related death or injury. The shared passion is for the cause of prevention.

Mark, an industrial electrician, was severely injured in a fall while doing maintenance on an industrial press. He lost everything that made him Mark on that one day, and four years later, his injuries cost him his life as well. His dream was to be a father, and today, his son is growing up without him. His widow, Melanie, is the national spokesperson this year for Steps for Life-Walking for Families of Workplace Tragedy. For Melanie, Steps for Life is about honouring her husband and preventing future tragedies.

“My husband will never come home, but having the opportunity to share our story makes it feel like our loss means something,” she says.

Steps for Life is a fun five-kilometre walk planned for May 6 in Muskoseepi Park in Grande Prairie and other communities across Canada. Steps for Life is the flagship fundraiser for the Association for Workplace Tragedy Family Support (known as Threads of Life).

It supports those affected by work-related tragedies, like Melanie and her family, and aims to keep workplace health and safety front of mind.

Each year in Canada, roughly 1,000 families learn their loved one won’t be coming home from work due to a traumatic accident or occupational disease. Thousands more have their lives permanently altered by injuries at work. Since the Peace Region-Grande Prairie Steps for Life walk began in 2015, the community has raised close to $120,000 to provide these families with one-on-one peer support, links to community support services, and the opportunity to take action to help prevent similar tragedies to other families.

Threads of Life is a national, registered charity, helping many families in Alberta and across the country. The Peace Region-Grande Prairie Steps for Life event is organized and hosted by local volunteers committed to health and safety, and to supporting families affected by tragedy. You can help too! Register to walk in Steps for Life, form a team of your coworkers or friends, raise some money or donate to another walker! If you’re unable to attend on May 6, you can still register to support the Peace Region-Grande Prairie Steps for Life community and walk on your own another day.

ECAA offers a wide range of training opportunities including educational seminars and code updating courses.

“The Steps for Life walk is a day we can honour loved ones,” says Nicole Lazaruk, lead for the Peace Region-Grande Prairie Steps for Life committee. “We walk in memory of the lost, injured, and the families that have suffered as a result of a workplace tragedy. We raise awareness of the importance of workplace safety in hopes of preventing future life-altering workplace tragedies.”

Through Steps for Life, we all walk together. For more information and to register for the Peace Region-Grande Prairie 2023 Steps for Life walk, visit www.stepsforlife.ca.

#StepsForLife #WeWalkTogether l

Steps for Life national spokesperson Melanie, right, walks with her team in 2022.

MORE, EARN MORE. ecaa.ab.ca

A safe and non-judgmental place for men MEN’S SHED GRANDE PRAIRIE

Suicide is often described as a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Feelings of not belonging, worthlessness, and hopelessness are experienced by people who also feel that their lives aren’t worth living. Men often die upon their first attempt, due to greater access to more lethal means of suicide such as firearms, street drugs, and hazardous work environments.

In Alberta, the further north you travel, the higher the rates of death by suicide, and men are three- to four-times more likely to die by suicide in Canada than women (Government of Canada, 2019). Where it’s more likely for women to reach out to friends and family when they are struggling, men are more prone to retreat from relationships.

The tendency for men is to form friendships limited to their workplace. If they are out of work, on disability or newly retired, they often lose all their friendships. In Grande Prairie, this is compounded by work that involves long, inconsistent, and

intense shift schedules, such as working 15 days on with six days off. The Men’s Shed is a safe, non-judgemental place for men to gather and develop relationships besides those that men have formed at work.

The Men’s Shed movement started in Australia in the late 1990s, and has spread internationally, particularly in the UK, Ireland, and Western Canada. In February 2022, Richard Nasedkin founded the Men’s Shed in partnership with the Grande Prairie Resource Centre for Suicide Prevention. The Men’s Shed fills for today’s men the mandate that the Royal Canadian Legion historically filled for war veterans. It provides men with a safe place in which to share, develop positive friendships, and find support in the company of peers.

Grande Prairie is the sixth Men’s Shed to be established in Alberta. Over 20 men interested in developing friendships and hobbies attended the first meeting. Currently, the Grande Prairie Men’s Shed is held in a 550-square-foot woodworking shop and

Members, or Shedders, meet on Tuesday nights from 7 to 9 p.m. The group may be hosted in a woodworking shop, but Grande Prairie’s Men’s Shed is not a woodworking club. It’s a fellowship club that does woodworking.

The Men’s Shed is open to all men, 18 years old and over, who would like to connect with peers. There is no expectation to fundraise, have a skill, or produce anything. As men, we don’t always need to be productive. Sometimes just connecting with others is enough. As a testimony to the power of connection and what Grande Prairie’s Men’s Shed offers its members, one Shedder said, “I only had one friend, now I have five.”

For more information, visit www.mensshedgp.ca, or call 780-830-9717. l

a 350-square-foot meeting space hosted by Nasedkin’s local business, AR Solution, located at 11436 97th Avenue in the Richmond Industrial Park.

The Men’s Shed is a safe, non-judgemental place for men to gather and develop relationships besides those that men have formed at work.

Currently, the Grande Prairie Men’s Shed is held in a 550-square-foot woodworking shop and a 350-square-foot meeting space hosted by local founder Richard Nasedkin’s business, AR Solution.

In February 2022, Richard Nasedkin founded the Men’s Shed in partnership with the Grande Prairie Resource Centre for Suicide Prevention.

Membership Application Form

Grande Prairie Construction Association

11439-98 Ave Grande Prairie, AB T8V 5S5

Ph: 780-532-4548

New  Renewal  Changes  Cancellation  Date: ___________________________

Company Information:

Firm Name: ____________________________________________________________________________

Address: ______________________________________________________________________________

(If mailing address is different please include it on back of form)

City: ______________________________ Province: ______________ Postal Code: ________________

Phone: ______________________________________ Fax: ____________________________________

Contact Name: _________________________________________________________________________

Contact Email: _________________________________________________________________________

Accounting Email: ______________________________________________________________________

Business Manager Email: _________________________________________________________________

Office Administrator Email: _______________________________________________________________

Website: _______________________________________________________________________________

Canada’s new anti-spam legislation requires us to obtain your consent in order for you to receive commercial electronic communications from us. You may subscribe/cancel or edit these permissions at any time by sending us an email to carmen@gpca.ca

Additional Contact for Permissions for the Bulletin/BuildWorks AB Passwords (if you require more please use the back of the page):

Name: ___________________________ Email: _______________________________________________

Name: ___________________________ Email: _______________________________________________

Membership Level:

 Full $1,000  Associate $600

 Add BuildWorks $100

 Add Alberta Construction Association $300

 Add Canadian Construction Association $200 ( this includes CCDC docs)

Inclusions are listed on the back

Signature: ______________________________________________________________________________

The information provided in this application will be treated with the utmost confidence and will be used solely for administr ation of this membership and the services provided by this association. Be advised that the information provided for Full Membersh ip will be supplied to Alberta and Canadian Construction Association to facilitate the administration of services provided to yo ur firm by those organizations in keeping with the co -operative agreements in place. Submission of this application will be considered

FOR GPCA OFFICE USE ONLY: (please make sure all questions are filled in and there is a signature)

FOR GPCA OFFICE USE ONLY: (please make sure all questions are filled in and there is a signature)

Absolute HVAC

Jon Halls

6214 90 A Street

Grande Prairie, AB T8W 2M5

T: 780-882-5946

E: jonhalls@absolute-hvac.com

AGS Mechanical Contractors Ltd.

Matt Gannon

Box 6206

Peace River, AB T8S 1S2

T: 780-624-1184

E: office.main@agsmechanical.com

Alberta Wild West Fencing Ltd.

Gord Mitchell

19 Governor Place

Spruce Grove, AB T7X 0M2

T: 780-686-1893

E: albertawildwestfencing@gmail.com

www.albertawildwestfencing.com

All Pro Glass Ltd.

Paul Cooper

Unit B, 9716 128 Avenue

Grande Prairie, AB T8V 6K4

T: 780-978-0088

E: paulc@allproglass.ca

www.allproglass.ca

All-West Northern Glass

Curtis Ankerstein

9606 108 Street

Grande Prairie, AB T8V 4E1

T: 780-532-4711

www.all-westglass.com

AR Solution

Richard Nasedkin

11436 97 Avenue

Grande Prairie, AB T8V 5Z5

T: 780-830-9717

E: richard@arsolution.ca

www.arsolution.ca

Ardy Rigging Ltd.

Bill Davis

Box 180

Valleyview, AB T0H 3N0

T: 780-524-3459

E: bill.davis@ardyrigging.com

www.ardyrigging.com

ATB Drywall Grande Prairie Ltd.

Tyson McCrea

52 714010 Range Road 73

Grande Prairie, AB T8W 5J7

T: 780-402-8469

E: atbltd@telus.net

www.atbdrywall.com

Beairsto & Associates Engineering Ltd.

Dennis Hussey

10940 92 Avenue

Grande Prairie, AB T8V 6B5

T: 780-532-4919

E: dennish@baseng.ca www.baseng.ca

Bekevich Construction

Lorne Bekevich

Box 5003

Peace River, AB T8S 1R7

T: 780-624-5654

E: wonderstruck2000@yahoo.com

BFL Canada Risk and Insurance Services Inc.

Rachelle Himer Box 217

Grande Prairie, AB T8V 1Y7

T: 780-229-5708

E: rhimer@bflcanada.ca www.bflcanada.ca

Bgreen Irrigation Inc.

Brian Peters

12703 101 Street

Grande Prairie, AB T8V 5S1

T: 780-532-6656

E: bgreenirrigation@live.com www.bgreenirrigation.com

Big Stick Rentals

Kevin Bjornson

11013 B 65 Avenue

Grande Prairie, AB T8W 4A8

T: 780-830-4115

E: kevin@bigstickrentals.ca

www.bigstickrentals.ca

Bull Mechanical Ltd.

Rob Howarth

13, 712074 RR 55

Grande Prairie, AB T8X 4A8

T: 587-299-9698

E: rhowarth@bullmechanical.com

www.admin69803.wixsite.com/ bullmechanical

CCSI

Vernon Boyd

Unit 104, 10001 100 Avenue

Grande Prairie, AB T8V 0V2

T: 780-538-2012

E: vernon@ccsigp.ca

www.ccsigp.ca

Celtic Construction Ltd.

Leon Gullickson Box 507

Dawson Creek, BC V1G 4H4

T: 250-782-6109

E: leon@celticconstruction.ca

www.celticconstruction.ca

Checkmark Services Ltd.

John Schmidt Box 579

La Crete, AB T0H 2H0

T: 780-928-4801

E: johns@checkmarkservices.com

www.checkmarkservices.com

Clark Builders 11205 110 Street

Grande Prairie, AB T8V 4B1

T: 780-830-3048

www.clarkbuilders.com

Cross River Construction

Clint Osborn 8813 60 A Avenue

Grande Prairie, AB T8W 2V2

T: 780-876-6433

E: clint@crossriverconstruction.com

CTR Contracting Ltd.

Ron

81, 721071 RR 53

County of GP No. 1, AB T8X 0N4

T: 780-538-4444

E: ron@ctrcontracting.ca

Dreidger Construction

Vill Driedger Box 1894

La Crete, AB T0H 2H0

T: 780-926-9403

E: villd.dc@gmail.com

Emco

Geoff Moyles

11905 99 Avenue

Grande Prairie, AB T8W 0C7

E: dmoyles@emcoltd.com

Empower Energy Corp.

Ross Thiessen

8718 112 Street

Grande Prairie, AB T8V 5X4

T: 780-532-3610

E: ross@empowerenergy.ca

www.empowerenergy.ca

Environmental 360

Warren Toews

4001 99 Street

County of GP No. 1, AB T8W 5A8

T: 780-538-0551

E: wtoews@e360s.ca

www.e360s.ca

Everlast Plumbing & Heating Inc.

Nathan Bidwell 8701 113 Street

Grande Prairie, AB T8V 7B4

T: 780-296-4770

E: nathan@everlastplumbingandheating. com

Fine Line Services (986855 AB Ltd.)

Erick Carter

Box 3690

High Level, AB T0H 1Z0

T: 780-926-3298

E: finelineservices2010@gmail.com

www.finelineservices.ca

Formula Contractors Ltd.

Jonathan Vandenberg

9157 Rock Island Road

Prince George, BC V2N 5T4

T: 250-617-3661

E: estimating@formulacontractors.com

www.formulacontractors.com

Fox National Building Systems Inc.

D. Jay Fournier Site 10, Unit 58, RR 2

Sexsmith, AB T0H 3C0

T: 780-882-5152

E: d.jay@foxnational.ca

www.foxnational.ca

Frasko Concrete Cutting Ltd.

Rita Skolly 9517 117 Avenue

Grande Prairie, AB T8V 4R2

T: 780-830-0102

E: office@fraskoconcrete.ca

G & M Plumbing & Heating Ltd.

Greg Marcotte 8620 110 Street

Grande Prairie, AB T8V 8K1

T: 780-538-3222

E: greg_gm@telusplanet.net

www.gmplumbing.ca

G.P. Landscaping Ltd.

Harold Schalin

11053 30 Avenue

County of GP No. 1, AB T8W 5B5

T: 780-539-0078

E: gplandscaping@telus.net

www.gplandscaping.net

G.P. Lawn Doctor Ltd.

Darren Chambers 3913 99 Street

County of GP No. 1, AB T8W 5A8

T: 780-539-7090

E: darren@gplawndoctor.com www.gplawndoctor.com

G.P. Yardworks

Matthew Martinos 9616 116th

Grande Prairie, AB T8V 5W3

T: 780-266-6288

E: estimates@gpyardworks.ca www.gpyardworks.ca

Genron Enterprises 2007 Ltd.

Tom Van Spronsen Box 566

Dawson Creek, BC V1G 4H9

T: 250-782-4959

E: tom@genron.ca

www.genron.com

Glen Armstrong Construction Ltd. Mike Fosty

8122 102 Avenue

Peace River, AB T8S 1M6

T: 780-624-2101

E: mike@gacltd.ca

www.glenarmstrongconstruction.com

Gray Electric (2013) Ltd.

Sean Gray

10913 97 Avenue

Grande Prairie, AB T8V 4G6

T: 780-296-5274

E: sean.gray@grayelectric.ca

www.grayelectric.ca

Green Acre Ventures Ltd.

Bruce Dyck Box 207

Grande Prairie, AB T8V 3A4

T: 780-538-1891

E: bruce@greenacreventures.ca

www.greenacreventures.ca

Gross Ventures Ltd.

Sarah/Glenn Penner

1131 Lewis Road

Kelowna, BC V1P 1C7

T: 780-914-1428

E: cegv@telus.net

GSL Construction

Moe Abu Shah

Box 25051 Cobblestone

Grande Prairie, AB T8X 0E9

T: 780-533-5656

E: info@gslconstruction.ca

www.gslconstruction.ca

Guillevin International Co.

Tracy Bilodeau 11202 97 Avenue

Grande Prairie, AB T8V 4Y6

T: 780-814-7001

E: tracy.bilodeau@guillevin.com

HAE Enterprises Ltd.

Ben Braim Box 6

Nampa, AB T0H 2R0

T: 780-625-5131

E: ben.haeenterprises@gmail.com

www.hae-enterprises.com

Homestead Kitchens

Rodney Kroeker 9701 100 Street

La Crete, AB T0H 2H0

T: 780-926-1081

E: hklacrete@gmail.com

Hotflash Electric Ltd. Philip Friesen Box 1439

La Crete, AB T0H 2H0

T: 780-928-3142

E: hotflashelectric@gmail.com

www.hotflashelectric.com

HWD Construction Ltd.

Glenn Penner 10533 98 Avenue

Grande Prairie, AB T8V 4L1

T: 780-538-3616

E: glenn@hwdconstruction.com

www.hwdconstruction.com

Jackal Electric

Kevin Latham

Suite 167, 3-11 Bellerose Drive

St. Albert, AB T8N 5C9

T: 780-554-9198

E: kevin@jackalelectric.ca

Jayjaxx Controls Inc.

Kris Smith 9509 113 Street

Grande Prairie, AB T8V 5L2

T: 403-504-4889

E: kris.smith@jayjaxx.com

www.jayjaxx.com

JMS Construction

Nichole Staffen

104, 8901 156 Avenue

Grande Prairie, AB T8V 2N6

T: 780-876-8491

E: admin@jmsconstruction.ca

www.jmsconstruction.ca

Kamwin Electric Ltd.

Andre Deslauriers 9607 112 Street

Grande Prairie, AB T8V 6G8

T: 780-532-4416

E: andre@kamwin.ca

Kaynic Construction Ltd.

Dennis Hunter

12202 104 Avenue

Grande Prairie, AB T8V 8A8

T: 780-538-4646

E: office@kaynic.ca

www.kaynic.ca

Klassen Brothers Northern Ltd.

Dave Klassen

Box 449

Debolt, AB T0H 1B0

T: 780-957-3760

E: dave.klassen@klassenbrothers.com

www.klassenbrothers.com

Klon Services

Lonny Nohnychuk 8513 68 Avenue

Grande Prairie, AB T8W 2R3

T: 780-539-0303

E: lonny@klonservices.ca

Knelsen Sand & Gravel Ltd.

Tom Hill 9801 156 Avenue

Grande Prairie, AB T8V 0P4

T: 780-539-7667

E: tomh@knelsen.com

www.knelsen.com

Lafarge Canada Inc.

Terry Peterson 9001 112 Street

Grande Prairie, AB T8V 7J4

T: 780-532-7766

E: terrance.peterson@lafargeholcim.com

Lan Tech Services Ltd.

Leanne Martin

98, 10821 78 Avenue

Grande Prairie, AB T8W 2L2

T: 780-876-3353

E: leanne@lan-techservices.ca

www.lan-techservices.ca

Lavergne Construction (1988) Ltd.

Brent Lavergne 8009 102 Avenue

Peace River, AB T8S 1M6

T: 780-624-3616

E: lavergneconstruction@telus.net

www.lavergneconstruction.com

LED Services

Herman Dyck Bay 8, 8710 112 Street

Grande Prairie, AB T8V 5X4

Founded in 2013, JayJaxx Controls Inc. has quickly become a reputable and leading edge Electrical, Instrumentation and Automation company specializing in custom building control systems for new and retrofit applications. Located in Grande Prairie, Alberta, JayJaxx Controls offers products and services to clients throughout Western Canada and the United States. Flexibility and innovation are an integral part of our business to ensure our clients meet their organizational goals.

Our Mission

To provide our customers with superior quality products and services, while providing economic and environmental solutions. Our dynamic team of highly qualified and experienced personnel consistently strive to be industry leaders by focusing on continuous improvement through innovation, technology and strategy.

Our Quality Commitment

JayJaxx Controls has been built on our reputation. We are driven to perform and achieve the highest standard of workmanship with a target of zero rework. Our Senior Management, Project Managers and Field Technicians are committed to ensuring quality compliance, industry codes and regulations and industry best practices.

9509 113 St, Grande Prairie, AB, T8V 5L2

403-504-4889 | www.jayjaxx.com

T: 780-539-4477

E: herman@ledservices.ca

www.ledservices.ca

LSM

Gordon Provencher 10910 97 Avenue

Grande Prairie, AB T8V 3J8

T: 780-532-4418

E: gordonprovencher@golsm.com

www.golsm.com

M & R Plumbing & Heating

Jaime Hebert

Box 374

Grande Prairie, AB T8V 3A5

T: 780-567-2477

E: mandrplumbing@telus.net

Macmillan Construction Ltd.

Ron Macmillan

Box 7080

Peace River, AB T8S 1M6

T: 780-624-3777

E: ron@maccon.ca

www.maccon.ca

Magnum Electric

Tim Tarita 11039 101 Street

Grande Prairie, AB T8V 2R7

T: 780-532-4000

E: magnumgp@telus.net

www.magnumelectric.com

Main-Way Electrical & Instrumentation Ltd.

Wayne Landry

Box 5149

Peace River, AB T8S 1R8

T: 780-624-4481

E: wayne@mainwayelectrical.com

Mainbeam Fabrication

Robert Bjornson

Box 15 Stn. Main

Grande Prairie, AB T8V 3A1

T: 780-876-1566

E: robert@mainbeam.ca

Mainline Construction (2014) Ltd.

Brad Ogston 14244 102 Street

Grande Prairie, AB T8V 7E2

T: 780-532-8545

E: bradogston@mainlineconstruction.ca

www.mainlineconstruction.ca

Michael’s Flooring Ltd.

Brent Friesen 9919 113 Avenue

Grande Prairie, AB T8V 1W6

T: 780-532-8680

E: brent@mflooring.com

Modern Decore Carpet One

Craig Wales

10404 100 Street

Grande Prairie, AB T8V 2M2

T: 780-532-3885

E: craig.modern@outlook.com

Nelson Lumber Company Ltd.

Grant Taylor 15603 94 Street

Grande Prairie, AB T8X 0B9

T: 780-532-5454

E: gtaylor@nlc.ca

www.nlc.ca

NK5 Mechancial

Karen Przybylski

Box 25098

Grande Prairie, AB T8X 0E9

T: 587-259-9973

E: admin@nk5mechanical.ca

Northern Doors Blair 8702 111 A Street

Grande Prairie, AB T8V 5L3

T: 780-831-1111

www.northerndoorsgp.com

GPCA 2022 Members

Northern Metalic Sales (GP)

James Claggett 9708 108 Street

Grande Prairie, AB T8V 4E2

T: 780-539-9555

E: james.claggett@northernmetalic.com

www.northernmetalic.com

JMS CONSTRUCTION

High-Quality Work Skilled Workers

JMS focuses on providing the highest quality of service to each and every one of our clients, no matter the project size. We’re experienced in serving commercial, industrial, and residential clients for over 15 years.

GENERAL CONTRACTOR SERVING THE PEACE REGION

INDUSTRIAL | COMMERCIAL | RESIDENTIAL DESIGN AND BUILD | INTERIOR DESIGN CONCRETE SPECIALISTS | EARTHWORK CONTRACTORS

#104- 8901 156 Avenue, Grande Prairie, AB T8V 2N6

Phone: (780) 876-8491

estimating@jmsconstruction.ca | jmsconstruction.ca

Northern Road Builders LP

Paul Driedger Box 1570

La Crete, AB T0H 2H0

T: 780-928-4900

E: paul@ften.ca

www.ften.ca

Northgate Electric

Todd Gorman

12625 99 Street

Grande Prairie, AB T8V 5Z4

T: 780-538-4056

E: toddg@northgateelectric.ca

Norwest Construction & Management Ltd.

Jennifer Metz

9501 42 Avenue

County of GP No. 1, AB T8W 5A8

T: 780-539-5926

E: jennifer.metz@norwestcm.com

www.norwestcm.com

Nufloors

Dan Bergsma

101, 13501 100 Street

Grande Prairie, AB T8V 4H4

T: 780-532-3250

E: dan@nufloorsgp.ca

www.nufloors.ca/grandeprairie

Odessa Doors Ltd.

Carole Story

101, 9602 115 Street

Grande Prairie, AB T8V 5W2

T: 780-539-3677

E: carole@odessadoors.com

www.odessadoors.com

Overhead Door Co. of GP

Kevin Timanson

11511 95 Avenue

Grande Prairie, AB T8V 5P7

T: 780-532-9350

E: kevin@ohdoor.com

Paragon Custom Crushing

Mathew Tarrington Box 782

Redwater, AB T0A 2W0

T: 780-942-2850

E: matt@sourceagg.ca

www.paragonltd.ca

Pave it Construction Inc.

Robert Loroff

Box 1031

Slave Lake, AB T0G 2A0

T: 780-849-8586

E: rob.paveit@gmail.com

www.paveitconstruction.ca

Phoenix Treatment Systems

Michael Carriere

11317 96 Avenue

Grande Prairie, AB T8V 5M3

T: 780-539-6668

E: mdc@ptscentral.com

www.ptscentral.com

Quality Floors

Mitchell Kachnic

12426 100 Street

Grande Prairie, AB T8V 4H8

T: 780-882-6866

E: qfloors@telus.net

www.qualityfloorsgp.ca

Rapid Span Bridges Inc.

Tamer Akkurt

1145 Industrial Drive

Armstrong, BC V0E 1B6

T: 250-546-9676

E: takkurt@rapidspan.com

www.rapidspan.com

Reco Construction 2010 Ltd.

Darren Dowling

Box 339

Grande Prairie, AB T8V 3A5

T: 780-532-0233

E: darren@recoconstruction.com

www.recoconstruction.com

Redline Electric Ltd.

Harvey Derksen

Box 88

La Crete, AB T0H 2H0

T: 780-928-2644

E: harvey@redlineelectric.ca

www.redlineelectric.ca

RGM Contracting Inc.

10815 184 Street

Edmonton, AB T5S 2T2

T: 780-406-1777

Rocky Johnson Contracting Inc.

Eric Johnson

8618 112 Street

Grande Prairie, AB T8V 5X4

T: 780-864-8500

E: eric@rockyjc.ca

www.rockyjohnsonconcrete.com

Roxy’s Drywall

Andrea Michaud

10456 161 Street NW

Edmonton, AB T5P 3J7

T: 780-220-3566

E: roxys_drywall@hotmail.com

Ruel Concrete Ltd.

Albert Laurin Box 10004

Peace River, AB T8S 0A7

T: 780-625-8399

E: albert@ruelconcreteltd.com www.ruelconcrete.com

Ruskin Construction Ltd.

Jamie Rich 4101 97 Street

County of GP No. 1, AB T8W 5A8

T: 780-538-1919

E: jrich@rcl.bz

www.ruskinconstruction.com

Scott Builders Inc.

Hubert Buckle 9835 60 Avenue

Edmonton, AB T6E 0C6

T: 780-463-4565

E: hubertb@scottbuilders.com www.scottbuilders.com

Serv-All Mechanical Services Ltd.

Dwain Velve

205, 10920 84 Avenue

Grande Prairie, AB T8V 6H2

T: 780-532-6682

E: dvelve@serv-all.ca www.serv-all.ca

Signature West LLB Inc.

Don Bastien

5255 Brendan Lane

Oldcastle, ON N0R 1L0

T: 519-972-6472

E: don@signaturecontractors.ca

www.signaturecontractors.ca

Silver-Tech Contracting Ltd.

Adam Link Box 23065

Grande Prairie, AB T8V 6X2

T: 780-832-0279

E: adam@silvertechcontracting.com www.silvertechcontracting.com

Silvertip Plumbing, Electrical & Water Solutions Ltd.

Caitlin Moody 101, 15902 102 Street

Grande Prairie, AB T8X 0K7

T: 780-876-4618

E: caity@silvertipltd.com www.silvertipltd.com

Southwest Design & Construction Ltd. 11453 98 Avenue

Grande Prairie, AB T8V 5S5

T: 780-830-2400

Spirit River Flooring Ltd.

Jim Sawers Box 301

Spirit River, AB T0H 3G0

T: 780-864-3073

E: jim@spiritriverflooring.com

www.spiritriverflooring.com

Standard Roofing & Exteriors Ltd.

Tim Simigan 11413 101 Street

Grande Prairie, AB T8V 2R8

T: 780-539-4880

E: srgp@telus.net

www.standardroofing.net

Tek Plumbing & Heating Inc.

Trisha Scheck 11434 89 Avenue

Grande Prairie, AB T8V 5V8

T: 780-402-2551

E: tscheck@tek-plumbing.com

www.tek-plumbing.com

Terel Electric Ltd.

Kelly Boissonnault

9106 109 Street

Grande Prairie, AB T8V 4K8

T: 780-539-8466

E: terelelectric@live.ca

www.terelelectric.ca

The Yardmaster Ltd.

Rochelle Thorpe

1A-721072 RR 53

County of GP No. 1, AB T8X 0N5

T: 780-538-2020

E: rochelle@theyardmaster.ca

www.theyardmaster.ca

Triton Plumbing & Heating Inc.

Jim Olson

13109 101 Street

Grande Prairie, AB T8V 7H9

T: 780-532-7522

E: info@tritonplumbinginc.ca

Ultimate Energy Controls Inc.

Mike Wells

10942 97 Avenue

Grande Prairie, AB T8V 3J8

T: 780-357-3322

E: mikew@uecgp.com

www.uecgp.com

Valor Fire Protection Inc.

David Brinkman

8909 61 Avenue

Grande Prairie, AB T8W 2P3

T: 780-580-5100

E: dave@valorfirepro.ca

Wapiti Gravel Suppliers

Bill Turner Box 608

Grande Prairie, AB T8V 3A8

T: 780-532-1790

E: bill.turner@wapitigravel.ca

www.wapitigravel.ca

Weaver Group (Welding) Ltd.

Kelvin Creighton 7501 107 Avenue

Peace River, AB T8S 1M6

T: 780-618-7522

E: kelvinc@weavergroupltd.ca

www.weavergroupltd.ca

Western Hydroblasting Inc.

Rita Charbonneau

615, 11715 Baynes Road

Pitt Meadows, BC V3Y 2V1

T: 604-465-4492

E: info@westernhydroblasting.com

www.westernhydroblasting.com

Wild West Dirt Works Ltd.

Monty Cissell Box 183

Bezanson, AB T0H 0G0

T: 780-832-8033

E: monty@wildwestventures.ca

www.wildwestdirtworks.ca

Winmar Grande Prairie

Nikole Emerson

Box 448

Sexsmith, AB T0H 3C0

T: 780-568-4402

E: nikoleemerson@winmar.ca

www.winmargrandeprairie.com

Wolseley Inc.

Jason Carson

10940 86 Avenue

Grande Prairie, AB T8V 8K3

T: 780-532-8785

E: jason.carson@wolseleyinc.ca

www.wolseleyinc.ca

Woodland Home Hardware Building Centre

Greg Bartolotta

11105 100 Avenue

Grande Prairie, AB T8V 3J9

T: 780-538-1340

E: greg@woodlandhomehardware.com

Grande Prairie Construction Association Document Price List

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A needed evolution

Construction is almost complete on St. Patrick Catholic School in Grande Prairie

BY SHAYNA WIWIERSKI

The school is targeted to achieve LEED Silver certification and will feature a number of energy-efficient systems, including a high-quality building envelope and water-saving fixtures.

Students attending St. Patrick Catholic School will have a new school to call home this September.

First built in 1978, the original St. Patrick Catholic School was closed in 2017 when it was noted that the school needed significant upgrades. An assessment indicated it would cost more money to renovate and expand the school than to construct a new one. As a result, the Government of Alberta approved a new school be built on the same site.

“There were a number of things that were wrong with the school. Age, ongoing maintenance concerns, and water were all issues, and on top of that, the process of educating kids has changed,” says Steven Bushnell, architect at BR2 Architecture Ltd., the bridging consultant.

Located at 7810 Poplar Drive in Grande Prairie, the St. Patrick Catholic School replacement project was approved by the government to accommodate 400 students in Grades 7 to 9. Grande Prairie and District Catholic Schools has chosen to offer programing for students in Kindergarten to Grade 8 at the school, that once complete will be a single-storey, 4,299-squaremetre facility.

The old school was demolished in 2020 and construc-

Located at 7810 Poplar Drive in Grande Prairie, the St. Patrick Catholic School replacement project was approved by the government to accommodate 400 students in Grades 7 to 9.

tion on the new facility started in August 2021. The new school is expected to be complete in June 2023, with the school opening to students in September 2023. The $24.4 million school, funded by the Government of Alberta, is designed with 21st Century Learning concepts. This will include classrooms grouped around a learning common to foster a sense of community and will also expand into other spaces via operable glass overhead doors. Learning spaces will also include music, foods, and a multi-purpose Career and Technology Studies (CTS) room. The school will also feature clerestory windows, which will bring in light to the interior spaces.

“We don’t build schools like they did in the ‘60s or ‘70s anymore. The vision for this school aligned with 21st Century Learning initiatives and what that means is it’s a very different way of teaching kids,” says Bushnell. “Kids learn in different ways [now]. It’s essentially a student-centric education process.”

Bushnell adds that schools are now built with flexibility, including open spaces and classrooms that open up. He mentions these common spaces give the ability to bring kids from one classroom into a common space to team teach with other teachers or students, and there are other

approaches like movable partitions between the classrooms to team teach as well. There is also connectivity to the outdoors through natural light and patios off the learning communities.

Jordan Sterling, project manager with Delnor Construction Ltd., mentions that the overhead doors are unique, but facilitates more group learning in an open environment.

“The overhead doors follow 21st Century Learning, which is an open-concept learning space so anywhere in the school can be a classroom,” says Sterling. “It is definitely one of the biggest features of the project.”

The school will also be the division’s first STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)-focused school.

“We know employers are looking for students who are creative, critical thinkers, and those are skills of the 21st century employee,” says Roger Lauck, Grande Prairie and District Catholic Schools director of teaching and learning. “STEM will allow us to ensure that kids are exposed to numerous learning opportunities where creativity and collaboration are at the forefront. Those skills will also carry into their years in high school.”

The school is targeted to achieve LEED Sil-

ver certification and will feature a number of energy-efficient systems, including a high-quality building envelope and watersaving fixtures. The project itself is being delivered using a design-build method by Alberta Infrastructure with BR2 Architecture Ltd. as the project’s bridging consultant and Delnor Construction Ltd. as the design-builder. Group2 Architecture Interior Design Ltd. is the design-builder’s consultant.

Other GPCA members who worked on this project include JMS Construction, Standard Roofing & Exteriors Ltd., ATB Drywall Grande Prairie Ltd., M&R Plumbing and Heating, Kamwin Electric Ltd., and Modern Decore Carpet One.

Once the new St. Patrick Catholic School is open to students later this year, it will allow students to still attend a school within their community. The school will also meet the needs of the larger community as well since they will have access to the public spaces, such as the gym and multipurpose rooms.

The new facility will be a much-needed evolution for students to learn, all in a building that is designed with the flexibility for educators to have as many tools in their toolboxes as they can to facilitate the education of children. l

The old school was demolished in 2020 and construction on the new facility started in August 2021. It is expected to be completed in June 2023.

The school will also be the division’s first STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)-focused school.

A safer route

Phase 2 of Highway 40 Twinning Project set to start construction in spring

Construction began on the second phase of a major twinning project south of Grande Prairie at the beginning of 2023.

The Highway 40 Twinning project is set to twin approximately 19 kilometres of Highway 40 south of Grande Prairie through to Township Road 700. Construction for Phase 1 of the project began in 2021 and comprised of twinning approximately nine kilometres between the City of Grande Prairie and Highway 666, including a second bridge over the Wapiti River. Phase 2, which started in January of 2023, consists of twinning approximately 10 kilometres between Highway 666 and Township Road 700.

Highway 40 is a major industrial, tourism, and recreation corridor. As the City of Grande Prairie continues to expand, it became a priority for government to twin this stretch of highway in order to make travel in the region safer and more efficient.

“Approximately 10,000 vehicles travel that segment every day, but it’s also the type of traffic we look at, especially through the economic corridor lens,” says Devin Dreeshen, Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors for the Government of Alberta. “It’s not just little smart cars travelling through there. A lot of them are semis, hauling specialized equipment through

large loads. We want to make sure that all types of travel can safely move in that area, and make sure that everything in that region can travel safely.”

The construction contract for Phase 2 of the project was awarded this past fall to NPA Construction, and it’s expected to be completed by early September 2025.

The project is being funded by Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors. The Municipal District of Greenview and the County of Grande Prairie also contributed $60 million to this project. Phase 2 of construction will include around 10 kilometres of twinning, consisting of a largescale earthworks scheme, grading and paving, a roundabout at Township Road 700, a concrete girder bridge over Weyerhaeuser Haul Road, a median vehicle inspection station, a bridge culvert, and a substantial slope stabilization effort.

Phase 2 of the Highway 40 Twinning Project, which started in January of 2023, consists of twinning approximately 10 kilometres between Highway 666 and Township Road 700.

Phase 1 of the project was awarded to Carmacks Enterprises and consisted of converting the existing two-lane road into a twinned four-lane highway, as well as build a new bridge over the Wapiti River with an underslung pedestrian bridge.

Tyler Wilson, project sponsor at Alberta Transportation, says that as of February of this year most of the roadwork south of Grande Prairie to the top of the hill at the Wapiti River Valley is complete with minor intersection improvements left. The in-river work for the bridge is almost complete with the final pier pour slated for February. The steel girders start arriving around that time for the south phase erection over Highway 666. The north phase will continue afterwards with completion slated for end of April. The bridge will be open to service for fall of this year.

Early 2023 also saw crews working on do-

ing some muskeg removal and start on the borrow development as part of the Phase 2. Part of this work is stabilization of the valley slopes which are currently on ATEC’s geotechnical hazard program, says Wilson. In combination with the twinning, they are also taking measures to reduce that corridor risk and make improvements to the long-term stability of the slope.

In terms of challenges, the milder weather is both beneficial and a detriment. While it has allowed for advancement on some of the earthworks, it has also slowed down the progress of the muskeg removal, which is normally reliant on colder temperatures for equipment access, says Wilson.

“The warmer weather is also a risk for the river berms, which we are relying on frozen conditions for the girder erection cranes and shoring bents for the girder themselves,” he says.

Once the project is complete in 2025, Minister Dreeshen says that they will potentially look into a future connection between Highway 40 and Highway 43 East, which is also known as Highway 40X East. That project will aim to create a full ring road around the city and will also take a few years to complete.

For now though, once Phase 2 is complete, it will help those travelling in and around Grande Prairie with a safer and faster route in and around the city.

“Not only can people travel after going to work and going home, but it will also cut down on commute time so people can get to work faster, they can stay home longer, and they can also get home faster as well,” says Minister Dreeshen. “It helps everyone in the region to do what they do in a safer manner and make sure they can get home safer at the end of the day.” l

Girder erection.

A centre for it all Activity and Reception Centre opens in Grande Prairie

BY SHAYNA WIWIERSKI

A new emergency and recreation centre opened in Grande Prairie early last year.

The Activity and Reception Centre, located at 9701 Park Road in the Smith subdivision in Grande Prairie, officially opened its doors in January 2022. The centre provides a space for activities that have limited opportunity to play at other venues and fills the gap for youth that want to participate in sports that are not able to be accommodated at other recreation facilities in the city. This includes roller derby, pickleball, floor hockey, and more. It also serves as an emergency response centre for the City in case of large-scale emergency or disaster, which might impact residents of Grande Prairie and the surrounding regions.

City council chose the east side of Grande Prairie to put this facility since they were looking to add a recreational amenity to

that area of the city. The $4.1 million project was able to be built thanks to the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) funding, which is a grant that is intended to support active transportation, recreation, and emergency response.

“When the funding became available [in 2021] we were in process of looking at an activity centre that was basically a nontraditional facility in the sense that it didn’t have a sports court, it didn’t have a field, and it was really a place where people could gather, get in from the elements over winter, and do various activities,” says Jackie Clayton, mayor of the City of Grande Prairie. “When this funding came along, it made sense to tie this in with an emergency response centre as well.”

The City received $3.2 million from the ICIP funding towards the construction of the fa-

cility and then contributed $800,000 from municipal funds. Construction for the project started in April 2021 and was finished in December 2021. Mayor Clayton mentions that the funding had an expectation of a quick turnaround, so they were able to get this project done in time for the funding to happen and then for the doors to open to the public in January 2022.

The Activity and Reception Centre is a preengineered metal building system that was manufactured by Behlen Industries. It features 16,000 square feet of activity space and 4,000 square feet of administration space. The main floor is completely built out with a mezzanine space on the second floor to accommodate future programming of the facility. The main floor features a small reception area with some small breakout meeting rooms, administration rooms, and then a large gymnasium with

The Activity and Reception Centre provides a space for recreational activities, as well as an emergency response centre in case of large-scale emergencies in and around Grande Prairie. Photos courtesy of Plaid Interactive.

a concrete floor so guests can play several different sports. It also has a small children’s climbing wall, a large storage room for various sports equipment, and has full change rooms with lockers and showers.

The exterior of the building features hookups for additional bathrooms, cooking, and supporting various emergency/post disaster needs.

The project had to be done in a tight timeframe of nine months to be eligible for the ICIP funding, so therefore it is not LEED certified. The building does, however, have a high-insulation value for the roof, wall system, and thermal breaks.

“These features help prevent some of the old issues that used to happen with this style of building systems, which will now reduce heating and cooling costs, as well as consumption over the long term,” says

Burke Atkinson, president of Atkinson Construction, the general contractors on the project. “Our system was also designed with a concrete foundation and screw piles. Around the office’s stucco as well, we have an exterior insulation system which brings additional R values to the wall systems we provided.”

The majority of the trades and suppliers for this project were local to Grande Prairie, including GPCA members such as Bull Mechanical Ltd., Terel Electric Ltd., Wapiti Gravel Suppliers, Odessa Doors Ltd., G.P. Landscaping Ltd., Knelsen Sand & Gravel, and Rocky Johnson Contracting Inc. The consulting team for this design-build project was led by Douglas Sollows Architects.

Atkinson mentions that the tight turnaround for this project was also a challenge for the team but they were able to meet the project timelines and stay within bud-

get as well. He also mentions that since the COVID-19 pandemic was also happening at that time, there were some unique challenges related to supply chain that had to be overcome to keep progress on the site.

Now that the centre has been open for over a year, it has proven to serve multiple purposes in the city of Grande Prairie.

“It is something we are quite proud of,” says Mayor Clayton. “It aligned with our strategic priorities of improving the quality of life in our city, as well as being an inclusive and caring community. It has provided great opportunity for youth, families, as well as individuals to access sports and recreation in that area of our city and it’s used widely… Having a multi-recreational facility in a neighbourhood that was not really recreational, as well as now adding an emergency space to our needs of our city was a great win.” l

Right: The Activity and Reception Centre is a pre-engineered metal building system that features 16,000 square feet of activity space and 4,000 square feet of administration space.

The City received $3.2 million from the ICIP funding towards the construction of the facility and then contributed $800,000 from municipal funds.

Not for the faint of heart

New Bike Skills Park opens at Crystal Lake

Grande Prairie bike riders now have a new space in the northeast area of town to practice and hone their skills.

The Crystal Lake Bike Skills Park officially opened in summer 2022. Located at Lakeland Drive and 121 Avenue near Crystal Lake, the park is an amenity open to all bike riders, no matter the skill level.

“We wanted to put recreation in areas where it hasn’t been before,” says Jackie Clayton, mayor of the City of Grande Prairie. “All our recreation was intended to be in a couple hubs in the city. We looked at adding recreation to other areas and decided to add an additional opportunity in the northeast area of our town.”

The 90,000-square-foot bike park was

funded through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP), which is a fund that intends to support active transportation, recreation, and emergency response. The federal government contributed $240,000 to the project through the funding, with the City contributing $60,000.

The Crystal Lake Bike Skills Park is a more advanced park than the other one located in the southwest side of town. It also provides more opportunities to different skill levels of riders. It includes dirt jumps, pump tracks, rocks, and wooden bridges. The park is suitable for riders of all ages and abilities to learn and then progress.

Cabin Resource Management were the consultants on the design-build proj-

ect. The company, which hails from B.C., consulted with the community and user groups to see what residents were looking for in the new park. A skills area, jump lines, and pump tracks were identified as desired elements. Steve Milne, founder/owner of Cabin Operations Ltd. and Cabin Resource Management, says that a competition pump track was added to allow two riders to race side by side on the pump track, for fun with friends, or as part of a sanctioned event. There is also a beginner pump track and intermediate track for people to progress and hone their skills.

For riders that like to push their limits, there are three jump lines that progress from a beginner to an intermediate to an advanced line. The park also features a skills

The Crystal Lake Bike Skills Park officially opened in summer 2022.

section with all sorts of features, including a starting ramp with a rock slab entrance for more advanced riders, and log rides and a suspension bridge set up, which Milne mentions is unique to this park.

Construction for the park started in summer 2021. Since it was a flat grassy field, there was a large amount of work done to transform the space into the bike park. Milne mentions that they didn’t have much to work with to shape the different features found in the park, so they had to bring in material.

“Most of the jumps and features, including most of the shaped features – the pump track for instance – it would have berms, which would catch you to take you part way around a corner. It has rollers, which are rounded features which you ride over which people pump into,” says Milne. “To build these features you need what we call fill material. It’s clean material; you want good soil that you can use to shape the rollers, the berms, and on the jump line

you can build your tabletop jumps, you can build your ramp, and you build that mostly with your fill material.”

The City of Grande Prairie delivered all of the fill to the site and provided a staff member to assist Cabin’s team in moving material on site.

Milne mentions that when designing this park, they noted where the pump tracks, jump lines, and skills area would be located. In addition, the design considered the number and size of rollers put into the pump tracks, the number of berms, and the drainage pits in the middle of each track. Drainage design is important to ensure that water does not puddle. They started by putting in the fill material and then rough shape the rollers and berms. They went and dug out the drainage pit in the middle and filled it with the appropriate material to hold the drainage. Once it was rough shaped, they did a layer of the capping material, which is a finer soil that has some clay and sand in it. Once every-

thing was in place, the team would ride test it to make sure the rollers and berms were working and if anything needed to be modified.

The skills area features a number of logs, which were provided by Canfor. Instead of being round at the top, they cut a flat surface so riders could ride along on the logs. This type of feature challenges a rider’s balance, as do the suspension bridges, and rock features provided by Kakwa Landscaping that are spread throughout the skills area.

The park officially opened to Grande Prairie and area residents last summer and Mayor Clayton mentions it was a great addition to the northeast side of the city.

“It increased our recreation opportunity in the north side of town,” says Mayor Clayton. “From young riders to teens to adults, it allowed us to add an additional facility that helps grow the skills of our biking community.” l

The Crystal Lake Bike Skills Park provides more opportunities to different skill levels of riders.

Local painting business thrives with the help of the Grande Prairie Construction Association

BY KELSEY JAMES

A Grande Prairie, Alta. entrepreneur has grown his painting company into the largest north of Edmonton.

Ron Peterson, 63, went into construction fresh out of high school before ending up in the painting industry. At the time, he was managing a retail store that eventually resulted in him getting transferred to Grande Prairie. This was when he met the former owner of Cutline Painting, who asked Peterson if he would be interested in assisting with some of Cutline’s jobs. He eagerly agreed.

Unfortunately, the owner ended up being diagnosed with cancer and Peterson took over the business in 1996. He has now been president and owner for nearly three decades.

“It wasn’t the first time I’d had my own company, so I kind of knew some of what I was in for,” Peterson said. “Being self-employed is always an interesting road to go down, but it’s treated us well. There certainly has been stress points and challenges, but overall, it’s been good.”

Within the first few years since Peterson

Kamwin Electric has provided design, estimating, planning, and collaboration on electrical installations in Northern Alberta for over 38 years. We work primarily in education, health care, seniors housing, municipal, recreational, and commercial markets, and offer service/maintenance. We also have a green energy division providing solutions such as energy upgrades, lighting upgrades, and solar/photovoltaic installations.

took over the business, Cutline Painting grew by 50 per cent, and, by 2008, employed 63 painters.

The majority of Cutline Painting’s work is commercial and includes schools, hospitals, and stores. They also do a bit of residential painting, but that is not the company’s specialty.

“We just finished the new Grande Prairie Composite High School. That was the biggest project, dollar-wise, that we’ve done,” Peterson said.

Aside from his work with Cutline Painting, Peterson has also been a member of the Grande Prairie Construction Association (GPCA) for 24 years. Two years after he joined, he became a board member and then was treasurer for 23 years. Peterson resigned from his position last year, but he is still considered an “honorary member of the board” that occasionally attends meetings.

“It was a really good experience,” Peterson said of his time with the GPCA. “When I first started, the construction association had fewer than 100 members, but we’ve watched it grow. It had over 200, but the association is shrinking back down because people don’t think it’s as valuable as it used to be, but I believe it is.”

Aside from the GPCA, there is also the Alberta Construction Association (ACA) and the Canadian Construction Association (CCA). When you become part of the local association, you become part of all three, Peterson said.

“The ACA has been very good because they advocate for us, and that’s one of its main purposes,” Peterson added. “If there weren’t any members, we wouldn’t be able to see any progress.”

One example of this progress is the work that the ACA is doing with the government to make changes in the construction industry. This includes prompt payment rules that establish payment timelines and an adjudication process for contractors and subcontractors.

All new construction contracts in Alberta were expected to adhere to the rules of the Prompt Payment and Construction Lien Act as of October 29, 2022.

“This has been my biggest challenge,” Peterson said. “Think about when you go to the grocery store; before you can take your groceries out, you must pay for them. For us, I paint a place, put in my bill, walk off the job site and just hope we get paid. I did a job 287 days ago that I haven’t been paid for. You take a risk every time you do a job.”

Benefits of being a part of the GPCA include

networking and having access to an online portal, the plans room, that sends out weekly lists of upcoming projects.

“There’s a lot of value in the association, but it’s hard to define that value because advocacy is hard,” Peterson said. “How do you put a dollar on advocacy? We have people who say, ‘I don’t need to join because you already are, so advocacy is already happening.’ It’s been a challenge to tell people we need more joining the association and that there’s value in it.”

Despite being a husband, father of three, and grandfather to six grandchildren, Peterson still has plans to further grow Cutline Painting.

“The construction industry is an interesting industry to be in,” Peterson said. “There’s a labour shortage and we’re certainly noticing it. It would be great to see more people enter the field. It can be a good career that pays well and has lots of opportunity.”

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