INDUSTRY>NEWS Upgrading the fan experience at Scotiabank Arena

Ahead of this year’s NHL and NBA seasons, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) provided media with a behind-the-scenes look at the first phase of its $350 million Scotiabank Arena Venue Reimagination project.

The updates to the 25-year-old arena, which are being built by PCL, will continue after the upcoming hockey and basketball seasons, aim to further enhance the best-inclass sports and entertainment destination that is home to the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs Hockey Club and the NBA’s Toronto Raptors Basketball Club.

“While the project began during the off season for the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Toronto Raptors, PCL was required to deploy an intricate construction schedule demonstrating how they would work around the venue’s jam-packed event calendar and deliver the project on time,” stated Jon Ridge, senior superintendent at PCL. “With focus on minimizing any disruptions to the arena’s active operations, construction activities were strategically scheduled around every event.”

This included adjusting shifts around things like sound checks for concerts, creative use of tarping and curtains, and coordinating just-in-time deliveries.

Once complete, the comprehensive multi-phase renovations will feature capital improvements to almost all areas within the venue including concourses, suites, premium clubs, retail spaces, food and beverage offerings, state-of-the-art technological innovations, and more.

This past summer’s renovations included a remodel to the venue’s 200-Level Mastercard Executive Suites to modernize the units and improve sightlines, along with state-of-the-art technology upgrades in the concourses, and the creation of a members-only shared Mastercard Lounge. Next off-season will bring a remodel of the 100 Level concourse and updates to the Hot Stove restaurant.

Following the conclusion of the 202324 Maple Leafs and Raptors seasons, the design makeover of the 100-Level concourse will begin as MLSE updates the concourse with screens, beacons and hubs that will transform to fit the look, feel and energy of the event within it.

“Beginning with the momentum from

Van Buren shares CCA departure plans

After six successful years as president of the Canadian Construction Association (CCA), Mary Van Buren has announced that she will be leaving the association in the spring of 2024.

The first female president in the association’s history, Van Buren has guided CCA into a new era that is digital first and the renovations made this past summer, we look forward to unveiling to fans the best-in-class design, technology and overall atmosphere enhancements over the course of this multi-phased project that take our fans’ sports and entertainment experience to even greater heights,” said Nick Eaves, chief venues & operations officer with MLSE. inclusive, said the organization as it announced her pending departure. That modernization allowed CCA to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, while advocating on behalf of the industry and continuing to deliver member value in the face of a global crisis.

“From bringing the original vision for Scotiabank Arena to life in 1999, to completing latest renovations this past summer, PCL is honored to have played a role in Scotiabank Arena’s legacy for nearly 25 years,” said Marc Pascoli, senior vice-president and district manager at PCL Construction.

The Scotiabank Arena Venue Reimagination project is being completed in collaboration with Brisbin, Brook, Beynon Architects, DesignAgency, owner’s representative firm CAA ICON, and PCL Construction. Brisbin, Brook, Beynon Architects and PCL Construction originally led the design and construction of the facility.

Along with tackling digital innovation, like its digital contract service, which will roll out in early 2024, she also managed to review the CCA’s governance model during her tenure, leading

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Continued from page 7 a restructuring that allowed the association to be more nimble in addressing member issues. Working closely with the board of directors as well as the Governance and Nominating Committee, Van Buren’s commitment resulted in a Governance Award from the Governance Professionals of Canada in 2023.

Perhaps one of her premier qualities has been her unwavering commitment to engagement. Through steadfast dedication to collaboration, Van Buren worked to strengthen the relationship with CCA’s 62 partner associations and develop new strategic partnerships to elevate the profile of the association, as well as the national construction industry, in general.

“The construction industry is essential to Canada’s economic success and quality of life, yet it doesn’t always get the credit it deserves,” she stated. “I am so proud to have brought more attention to an industry that has such a profound impact on our country and affects positive change in our communities every day.”

“The Board of Directors sincerely thanks Mary for her stewardship of the association over the last few years,” said CCA chair Brendan Nobes. “Through her commitment to advancing member issues, she has raised the industry’s profile, and her legacy of leadership will be long lasting.”

A search process is underway with a goal of a smooth transition and continuing the positive momentum gained under Van Buren’s leadership.

Six winners in national P3 awards

Six projects have been awarded 2023 National Awards for Innovation and Excellence in Public-Private Partnerships. Presented by the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships (CCPPP), the winning project teams were announced during the P3 National Awards Gala Luncheon, held on November 14 during the organization’s annual P3 conference.

This year’s winning projects included The Ontario Line, which won a gold and silver in the P3 Transaction category for its rolling stock, system, operation and maintenance contract (gold) and its South civil, stations and tunnel contract (silver); Nova Scotia’s Highway 104 Sutherlands River to Antigonish twinning project (gold) in the P3 Design & Construction category; and the Gordie Howe International Bridge (gold), Forensic Services and Coroners Complex (silver), and Library and Archives Canada’s Gatineau 2 project

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Construction Investment Strong In September

A 0.2 per cent dip in the commercial segment was the only slip to be found as investment in building construction increased 5.3 per cent across Canada in September. The $18.9 billion posted resulted from a 7.3 per cent jump in residential spending, which came in at $12.9 billion, and a 1.2 per cent increase in the non-residential sector, which reached $6.0 billion.

Institutional investment was the key driver in the non-residential sector, rising 4.3 per cent to $1.5 billion. Industrial construction investment increased 1.2 per cent to $1.2 billion for the month. The commercial segment slipped marginally to $3.2 billion.

Despite the September growth, investment in building construction fell 2.8 per cent to $54.7 billion in the third quarter, the fourth consecutive quarterly decrease. Much of the Q3 loss can be attributed to the residential sector, which was down 4.4 per cent. The non-residential sector finished the quarter up by a half-per cent, reaching $17.9 billion.

Construction Employment Rebounds

Construction employment rebounded in October, increasing by 23,000 and more than offsetting September’s drop of 18,000 workers, reports Statistics Canada in its Labour Force Survey. Despite the increase, employment in the industry was little changed from October of 2022, and down by 32,000 from the record high reached in January 2023. Overall, across all industries, Canadian employment was relatively flat in October, rising just one-tenth of a per cent and adding 18,000 positions over the September figures. Both full-time and part-time employment have held steady since September. Canada’s unemployment rate increased 0.2 percentage points in October, rising to 5.7 per cent.

20,287,600

Investment in non-residential construction, September 2023 (in $Millions)

1,579,300

Institutional Permits Drag Values Down

A 50 per cent drop in institutional permits brought the total monthly value of building permits in Canada down by 6.5 per cent in September, reports Statistics Canada. Multi-family dwelling and industrial were the only segments to show growth as permit values dipped to $11.2 billion.

Despite recent headwinds, the total monthly value of residential permits had a good September, rising 4.3 per cent to hit $7.2 billion. Leading the charge was a 37.2 per cent monthly increase in construction intentions in British Columbia. Across Canada, 21,700 new dwelling units were authorized through building permits in September, 5.6 per cent more than August 2023 and 2.3 per cent more than September of 2022.

The news was not as rosy on the non-residential side. Although values remained significantly ahead of September 2022, the total monthly value of non-residential permits fell 21 per cent from August to $4 billion this past September. This drop was mainly attributed to the decline in construction intentions for the institutional component, which fell by 50.7 per cent to settle at $1.0 billion. That component posted a record high of $2.1 billion in August when permits issued were issued for several high valued construction projects.

A TRANSITIONAL YEAR?

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REGIONAL PERSPECTIVES

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TRENDS TO WATCH

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