THUNDER BAY – BUSINESS – Infrastructure Ontario (IO) and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) have selected Finn Way General Contractors Inc. (Finn Way), as the successful proponent for Construction Services for the Fire Management Headquarters at 1580 Arthur Street West, in Thunder Bay.
The selection of Finn Way is the result of a two-stage competitive procurement process led by IO. The process began with the public posting of a Request for Qualification in April 2015. The contract was awarded to Finn Way in September.
IO will administer the redevelopment and construction of the existing MNRF site on behalf of the Ministry and Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services (AFFES). The project involves renovations and additions to the main building, a new aviation building, various new storage buildings and site development.
The main administration and warehouse building will target LEED Silver Certification, from the Canada Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environment Design, commercial buildings rating system. LEED buildings focus on healthy indoor environments, reduced greenhouse gas emissions and efficient use of energy, water and other natural resources. The implementation of LEED aligns the visions of both MNRF and IO for long-term investment in public infrastructure.
It is expected that construction will begin this fall and full use and occupancy will begin in early 2018.
Brad Duguid, Minister of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure stated, “I am pleased that a proponent has been selected to spearhead the construction of this important project. Our government is committed to building and modernizing our infrastructure, like the new fire management headquarters, that will keep residents in Thunder Bay safe. The new headquarters is part of the largest infrastructure investment in the province’s history, more than $130 billionover 10 years, that continues to help fund priority infrastructure projects in communities across Ontario.”
Bill Mauro, Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry added, “The $25 million renewal of the Provincial Logistics Centre and the Thunder Bay Fire Management Headquarters will better support today’s fire management practices. This investment will help make sure we have facilities, personnel and equipment available for forest fire management in the Thunder Bay area, and across the province.”
