40 BUILD MANITOBA winnipegconstruction.ca used during experimentation. We used a crystalline chemical admixture in the concrete that essentially seals the pores of the concrete upon contact with water.” “Those two tanks allow us to have two controlled experiments going on simultaneously,” says Barber, “so we can spill oil in one and leave the other one without, and we can compare and contrast the two. This is the first facility of its kind in the world.” It was supposed to have been completed by now, but the washout of the rail line to Churchill (in 19 places) that made national news pushed everything back – and caused a logistical nightmare for the contractor. Following the break to the rail line, shipping became the only way to get most material in to the site. “Basically, the entire project was bid that (the material) would go up by rail,” explains Jamie Froese, Project Manager with general contractor Penn-Co Construction, “but everything had to be changed to sealift. The only thing that we got up there by rail was our equipment, but then we couldn’t get it out. We sent in drill rigs and blasting equipment, and while it was there, the rail went down. So we actually had to ship that stuff back out when we were done with it. Everything since went by ship from Quebec, and in between each phase, we’ve just been waiting to see if the rail line goes back up.” The rail line has been repaired, and in early December the first passenger train departed from Winnipeg to Churchill. The build site also came with a set of intrinsic challenges: blasting could only be done at prescribed times so that the sound waves wouldn’t impact whale populations in the bay; and bear guards had to be posted 24/7 around the build site (there have been five polar bear encounters). “A huge problem with this build is recycling,” says Froese, “and trying to use products widely up there is really a The $14.7-million, 50,000-sq.-ft. CMO research facility will investigate ecological issues related to marine transportation, and oil and gas development in the Arctic. Photo credits: Penn-co Construction Hoarding used to work in Churchill on the observatory in the winter. Inside the hoarding work on the concrete slab. The site fence installed for future bear protection and security. ue,Winnipeg, MB R3E 1M5 -7234 Fax: (204) 786-3032 hanical Contractors l & Industrial Facilities Water Treatment Plants & Laboratory Facilities ional Institutions Certified Projects al Certified Professionals erving Our Industry 691 Logan Avenue,Winnipeg, MB R3E 1M5 Phone: (204) 783-7234 Fax: (204) 786-3032 Prime Mechanical Contractors Commercial & Industrial Facilities Sewage & Water Treatment Plants Health Care & Laboratory Facilities Educational Institutions LEED Certified Projects Red & Gold Seal Certified Professionals Proudly Serving Our Industry 691 Logan Avenue,Winnipeg, MB R3E 1M5 Phone: (204) 783-7234 Fax: (204) 786-3032 Prime Mechanical Contractors Proudly Serving Our Industry Commercial & Industrial Facilities Sewage & Water Treatment Plants Health Care & Laboratory Facilities Educational Institutions LEED Certified Projects Red & Gold Seal Certified Professionals