Spring Brings Steel, Concrete and More

The very warm spring weather we have been enjoying has brought the added benefit of keeping us to our construction project schedule. Very soon we will see the completion of structural steel, masonry work and the concrete flooring. Here are a few more details of what to expect in the coming months:

Structural Steel

The installation of structural steel is underway and will be completed by the end of March. This work includes the addition of metal decking on the elevated floors and roof areas and heavy gauge metal studs along the east elevation facing Main Street. Metal scissor trusses are currently being installed.

Masonry Work

Masonry work will begin along the east elevation at the end of March, following the enclosure of the new elevator shaft in the centre of the building.

Interior Floor Concrete Floor Pours

Four separate days of pouring the concrete floors will be scheduled sometime from the middle of March to the end of April. The pouring and curing of concrete is weather dependent and timing may vary. Given the amount of concrete required, there will be increased truck traffic on these pouring days. In addition, gas powered concrete finishing machines will be used while the concrete is setting, which may require the finishers to work well into the evening. The Melloul-Blamey crew will do all that they can to work quickly and mitigate any disturbance caused by this work.

Looking Ahead

A snapshot of the construction highlights we can look forward to in the months ahead:
• Interior partitions will begin in April
• Floor and roof decking will be completed by the end of May
• Window installation will begin in June
• Exterior wall framing will be completed by the end of June
• Exterior stucco will start at the beginning of August
• Roofing will be completed by the middle of September
• Exterior landscaping will begin in the middle of September
• Soft landscaping (plantings) will follow in October
• Interior finishes will be completed in November/December
• Commissioning and a review for LEED certification will take place in December
• Grand opening in January 2013

Landscaping Plans

The Town’s landscape architects have developed a beautiful landscaping concept that will complement and enhance the new facility while also allowing for some functional outdoor space. Accented by stone seat walls and planters, paving stones, low groundcover with ornamental flowering trees and areas for public art displays, it will become a lovely outdoor space for everyone to enjoy. As indicated in the construction highlights above, hard landscaping (pavers, seating, etc) will be constructed in September with soft landscaping (plantings) following in October.