$40-Million Velodrome to be Built in Milton

A $40-million velodrome for the Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games will be built in the Town of Milton. Town council voted in favour of the project at a meeting Jan. 30. The velodrome will be built within the Milton Education Village at Louis St. Laurent and Tremaine roads. Construction is expected to start this summer […]


A $40-million velodrome for the Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games will be built in the Town of Milton.

Town council voted in favour of the project at a meeting Jan. 30.

The velodrome will be built within the Milton Education Village at Louis St. Laurent and Tremaine roads.

Construction is expected to start this summer with completion by 2014.

Ian Troop, chief executive officer of the 2015 Games, thanked the Town of Milton for making the velodrome a reality.

“This is the result of sound deliberation and an appreciation for the potential associated with a permanent velodrome,” he said.

The velodrome will house a 250-metre oval cycling track with banked corners and 1,500 permanent seats.

The infield portion of the track will be large enough to hold the equivalent of three regulation-sized basketball courts and could be used for many different activities.

Other potential spaces in the building could include a fitness centre, walking/jogging track and other associated amenities.

Milton was announced as the preferred site for the velodrome by the Games committee in December 2011.

Olympian Curt Harnett said the decision is a great day for cycling and amateur sport in Canada.

“This will result in a world-class facility that will make Milton a cycling hub for the surrounding community, the province and eastern Canada.”

The 2015 Games committee is paying $22 million of the cost of building the velodrome. The local share of $19.8 million will come from:

  • Town of Milton: $3.8 million
  • Milton Education Village: $2.5 million
  • Private sector partners, including pledged donations, sponsorships and fundraising: $13.5 million

The Games are one of the world’s largest international multi-sport events, held every four years for athletes of the 41-member nations of the Pan American Sports Organization.

Construction Industry Safety Record Improves in 2011

Figures released by the Ministry of Labour show that Ontario’s construction industry modestly improved its incident record in 2011. Both construction industry fatalities and critical injuries declined, according to the data. The industry experienced 22 fatalities and 134 critical injuries for the year, compared to 25 fatalities and 139 critical injuries for 2010. The age […]

Figures released by the Ministry of Labour show that Ontario’s construction industry modestly improved its incident record in 2011.

Both construction industry fatalities and critical injuries declined, according to the data.

The industry experienced 22 fatalities and 134 critical injuries for the year, compared to 25 fatalities and 139 critical injuries for 2010.

The age profile of construction workers who lost their lives on the job is as follows:

  • ages 20-29 years: five fatalities
  • ages 30-39 years: two fatalities
  • ages 40-49 years: seven fatalities
  • ages 50-59: four fatalities
  • ages 60+: four fatalities

Ministry officials, in their initial analysis of the year, have noted that a number of industry sectors made significant improvements in reducing their overall injury rates, most notably:

  • homebuilding: down 13 per cent
  • heavy civil construction: down 11.3 per cent
  • siding and outside finishing: down 10.1 per cent

The formwork, demolition, and mechanical and sheet metal sectors were also recognized for their year-over-year improvements.

Looking ahead, Ministry officials intend to focus on the level of safety engagement on construction projects in 2012, as determined through:

  • the presence of effective supervision
  • the presence of a health and safety representative and/or a functional health and safety committee

In March there will be trade specific blitzes in the formwork, masonry, siding and outside finishing, and built-up roofing sectors of the construction industry.

The Ministry expects between 1,000 and 1,200 field visits will be made during the blitzes.

IUOE General President Disappointed with Pipeline Decision

James Callahan, general president of the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE), says he’s disappointed the Obama administration rejected TransCanada’s application for a proposed $7-billion, 1,700-mile Keystone XL pipeline from Canada to Texas. “Today’s announcement by the U.S. Department of State to withhold approval of the Keystone XL pipeline is a blow to America’s construction […]

James Callahan, general president of the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE), says he’s disappointed the Obama administration rejected TransCanada’s application for a proposed $7-billion, 1,700-mile Keystone XL pipeline from Canada to Texas.

“Today’s announcement by the U.S. Department of State to withhold approval of the Keystone XL pipeline is a blow to America’s construction workers,” Callahan said in a statement released by his office Jan. 18.

“As the sector hardest hit by the recession and one that still grapples with an unemployment rate of 16 per cent, this project could have been a lifeline to thousands of unemployed operating engineers.”

Although “deeply disappointed” at the decision, Callahan said the IUOE would keep working to bring future energy projects to fruition.

“We will continue to work with our partners in labour and the industry to bring vital energy projects online and to create the kind of high-paying, skilled jobs that are so vital to our economy, our members and their families.”

The IUOE represents more than 400,000 members in 123 locals across the U.S. and Canada, including Local 793.

Operating engineers work as crane and heavy equipment operators, mechanics, surveyors in the construction industry, stationary engineers in building and industrial maintenance, nurses and other health care professions, and public works departments.

The Obama administration announced it was denying a presidential permit for the proposed pipeline because it does not serve the national interest.

The U.S. Department of State had recommended the project not proceed.

In a statement, President Barack Obama said he concurred with the recommendation because it was determined the Department would not have the time necessary to assess whether the project, in its current state, is in fact in the national interest.

TransCanada intends to re-apply for a permit. However, any decision on the fate of the pipeline is expected to be pushed well beyond November’s presidential election in the U.S.

Upon completion, the proposed pipeline would be capable of transporting 830,000 barrels per day of crude oil.

Building Begins on Pan-Am Athletes’ Village in Toronto

Construction work has started on a village in Toronto’s West Don Lands area that will be used to house athletes for the Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games. The project is expected to create and support 5,200 jobs, including employment of approximately 700 workers on the construction site. The value of the project is $514 million. […]

Construction work has started on a village in Toronto’s West Don Lands area that will be used to house athletes for the Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games.

The project is expected to create and support 5,200 jobs, including employment of approximately 700 workers on the construction site.

The value of the project is $514 million. Dundee Kilmer Developments was awarded the contract for the work.

The community has been designed by a team of internationally renowned architects and will be constructed by EllisDon.

The village will provide a home away from home for more than 10,000 athletes and officials during the Games. It will include 787 units that will be converted to permanent residences and 253 units that will be converted to affordable rental housing following the Games.

The village will also feature administrative and ancillary facilities, an 82,000-square-foot YMCA, and a residence that will provide housing for up to 500 students following the Games.

The project will be completed within three years.

Charles Sousa, the provincial minister responsible for the Games, said he’s excited to see the shovel go in the ground for the village.

“The athletes’ village will provide an exceptional experience for athletes and bring long-lasting economic and social benefits to the community.”

The Pan/Parapan American Games are one of the world’s largest international multi-sport events, held every four years for athletes of the 41-member nations of the Pan American Sports Organization.

Three Companies Will Bid to Build Facilities for Pan Am Games

Three companies have been short-listed to bid on building projects for the Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games. The companies are PCL Constructors Canada Incorporated, EllisDon Corporation and Bondfield Construction Company Limited. The companies have been invited to respond to a request for proposals that will be issued in February. The projects include: Construction of a […]

Three companies have been short-listed to bid on building projects for the Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games.

The companies are PCL Constructors Canada Incorporated, EllisDon Corporation and Bondfield Construction Company Limited.

The companies have been invited to respond to a request for proposals that will be issued in February.

The projects include:

  • Construction of a new Olympic-sized swimming pool and field house facility in Markham to host the water polo and badminton competitions for the Games. The 10-lane, 52-by-25-metre pool will feature a moveable floor and two one-metre movable bulkheads and will have a seating capacity of 2,000. The field house will have a seating capacity of 2,000 and will house fitness facilities and approximately 34,000 square feet of flexible gym space for training and competition.
  • Renovation and improvement of the existing Etobicoke Olympium facility, which will be the training site for swimming, water polo, diving and synchronized swimming during the Games. Upgrades to the facility will involve renovating the existing pool to meet international requirements, and improving the mechanical and electrical systems.
  • Construction of a new, two-field Pan American Field Hockey Centre on University of Toronto lands. The facility will be Ontario’s first dedicated international field hockey venue.

Infrastructure Minister Bob Chiarelli said the investments will provide Ontarians with access to modern, safe and efficient infrastructure.

“This project is part of our government’s long-term infrastructure plan Building Together, which demonstrates the McGuinty government’s commitment to stimulate the economy, create jobs and build strong communities.”

The Games are one of the world’s largest international multi-sport events, held every four years for athletes of the 41 member nations of the Pan American Sports Organization.

The Pan Am Games will take place July 10 to 26 and the Parapan American Games August 7 to 14.