Articles tagged with "Commercial"

The British Columbia Construction Association's latest report highlights a 4% increase in construction material costs within the province, surpassing the national inflation target. Despite higher costs, industrial, commercial, and institutional permit values, as well as multi-unit residential permits, have risen significantly. The sector contributes 9.2% of B.C.'s GDP and employs over 267,000 people. The BCCA supports new Prompt Payment legislation to help mitigate the financial pressures on the industry.

The BC Construction Association (BCCA) has released its Fall 2025 Stat Pack, highlighting that construction material costs in British Columbia have risen by four percent year-over-year, doubling the national inflation target. Despite these increasing costs, the construction sector in B.C. remains robust with significant growth in industrial, commercial, and institutional permits. The sector continues to play a critical role in the provincial economy, accounting for 9.2% of GDP and employing 267,000 people. Additionally, the introduction of Prompt Payment legislation aims to ensure timely payments for completed work.

The BC Construction Association (BCCA) has released its Fall 2025 Stat Pack report highlighting inflationary pressures in the construction industry. Material costs have risen by 4% year-over-year, double the Bank of Canada's inflation target, adding to affordability challenges. Despite rising costs, the sector remains steady with an increase in permit values and ongoing strong employment. The introduction of Prompt Payment legislation aims to address payment delays, a move supported by BCCA.

EllisDon has conducted a large-scale fire demonstration test on its Hybrid Timber Floor System (HTFS) to showcase its performance under extreme conditions. The system, developed in partnership with DIALOG, uses a combination of Cross-Laminated Timber and concrete to offer a sustainable alternative to traditional construction materials. The test, which took place in Richmond, B.C., confirmed the structural integrity and fire resistance of the system, demonstrating its potential for use in commercial buildings. This unique demonstration was part of EllisDon's efforts to advance mass timber usage in non-traditional building typologies.

The construction of Kelowna's first city-owned indoor tennis facility is experiencing delays due to issues with soil remediation and weather complications. Coordination with the Tennis Clubs of Canada for park planning has also contributed to the delay. These challenges have arisen only months after the project's groundbreaking.

The B.C. construction industry is seeking assurances from the government that the new prompt payment legislation will include public sector projects. Industry leaders have voiced concerns that excluding these could undermine the legislation's intent, as was seen in Alberta's initial legislative rollout. The legislation requires payments within 28 days of invoice submission, but details and regulations are still being developed. Industry figures argue for uniform application across all sectors to ensure fairness.

British Columbia has enacted Bill 20 to establish prompt payment in the construction industry, addressing chronic payment delays that have caused financial hardship for contractors. The legislation sets clear payment timelines and introduces a fast-track adjudication process to resolve payment disputes. Prompt payment is crucial for maintaining healthy cash flow, especially for small businesses, and is expected to help reduce project costs and support the province's economy. The legislation applies to both private and public projects in BC, with a transition period for businesses to adapt.

EllisDon has completed the Freedom Mobile Arch canopy in Vancouver, making it one of the largest free-span mass timber structures in the world. The project utilized glue-laminated beams and cross-laminated timber panels to achieve a striking starburst-shaped roof. The amphitheater is designed to host a variety of events for up to 10,000 guests, enhancing Vancouver's cultural landscape. This complex construction demanded exceptional planning, engineering, and teamwork.

FortisBC is investing $18.6 million to upgrade the Saucier substation in downtown Kelowna, B.C. This improvement includes adding a second transformer and expanding the substation's infrastructure to meet the area's growing power demands. The project is part of a broader initiative involving upgrades and new constructions across multiple substations in Kelowna and beyond, scheduled to be completed by the end of 2027. Additionally, this initiative supports economic growth, increased energy needs, and infrastructure development in rapidly growing areas.

Formline Architecture + Urbanism and KPMB Architects have been chosen to design a new Vancouver Art Gallery building at 181 West Georgia Street, replacing the previous plan headed by Herzog & de Meuron. This selection followed a competitive proposal process involving 14 Canadian firms. The new building aims to reflect the diversity of audiences and the cultural heritage of the region, incorporating elements of Indigenous design. The project is recognized as a significant cultural infrastructure initiative in Vancouver.

In July, Statistics Canada reported a slight decline of 0.1% in the value of building permits, totaling $11.9 billion. This decrease was driven by a 5.8% drop in non-residential permits, although residential permits increased by 3.8%. The residential sector saw growth in both single-family homes and multi-unit construction. Overall, the number of authorized dwellings rose slightly by 1.9% compared to the previous month.

Global Education Communities is developing two rental-housing projects near the new Oakridge shopping centre in Vancouver. The projects will benefit from their proximity to Canada Line rapid-transit stations, catering to student housing demands and a broader multi-family rental market. Construction on the first project, GEC Oakridge, is underway and expected to complete by mid-2027, while the second project, GEC Langara, is still in the city approval process. Both developments are part of a broader collaboration with Pomerleau Capital to deliver an $800-million student-housing portfolio across Metro Vancouver.