The schedule was a huge push on this project. Copcan manned the site with 15-20 workers at times with 3-5 excavators moving fill and placing gravels. Space was also limited on such a busy site with over a dozen sub trades working concurrently. Copcan worked closely with the superintendent from Seymour Pacific to ensure we stayed ahead of their other trades and crews.
The project consisted of building excavation, backfilling, and slab prep with approximately 4364m2 footprint as well trenching and backfill for electrical and mechanical sub-trades, supply and installation of permitter drainage. The scope included extending the road and sidewalk, as well as the water main, storm main, sanitary main, and electrical under the roadway. Installation of water-service with a new fire hydrant, sanitary service with a new lift station, and a storm system that included swales, culverts and a detention tank. New parking lot with light standards and EV chargers.
It’s uncommon to say that a project went successfully without any challenges, however, this was one of those rare projects. The GC was ideal to work with and the ground conditions were in our favour, the crew and Superintendent did a fantastic job staying on schedule and on budget.
The most challenging aspect of this project was the hot-tap water main tie-in. We had a 3rd party subcontractor do the work, that went effortlessly as we had a sold plan to execute the task at hand.
Copcan was a driving force in having this crucial facility for the T-Sou-Ke First Nation, ensuring we had both on-site and off-site infrastructure ready on time and on budget. The extra steps we took to safeguard our crew and work paid off with zero incidents.
The famous revolving ‘W’ was also to be saved and be placed back on the new building. The ‘W’ sign was craned off the building, and the building was prepared for demolition’s greatest spectacle – Controlled Explosive Demolition. Extensive shoring was completed in the wood structure, and parts of the building were demolished conventionally to clear the way for the implosion.
The project involved the construction of two separate buildings on adjacent lots. This work encompassed 11,000 m³ of bulk excavation, detailed footing excavation, under slab trenching, perimeter drain installation, slab-on-grade preparation, and the installation of both onsite and offsite utilities.
Onsite utilities included water service installation, sanitary works, and storm works, which featured the construction of three rock pits. Additionally, the project required the installation of onsite lighting and BC Hydro infrastructure, including a PMT and concrete encasement as necessary.
The Onsite scope of work also covered the preparation and installation of hardscaping elements, such as paving, sidewalks, and curb and gutter systems, as well as the preparation of softscape areas.
The offsite scope of work involved the removal and replacement of 1,200 m² of concrete sidewalk, 450 meters of concrete curb and gutter, and 1,400 m² of asphalt. Additionally, it included drainage upgrades, tying in new building services (water, storm, and sanitary) to municipal mains, and rerouting Hydro and Telus lines to move power and Telus services from overhead to underground. The project also encompassed the installation of offsite street lighting.
Highstreet approached Copcan to tender the project in July 2022, despite the drawings not being fully complete and some aspects missing. Following the tender close, Copcan collaborated with Highstreet to ensure the project could proceed according to their schedule. Copcan continued to work closely with Highstreet as IFC (Issued for Construction) drawings were developed during the construction stage, maintaining both the project schedule and high-quality standards.
The offsite works occurred on municipal roadways, with one road being the main highway through Parksville. Copcan manages traffic control with the City of Parksville and Highstreet while completing the work with no incidents.
Scheduling was a challenge on this project, as two separate buildings were being constructed simultaneously, each with slightly different timelines and trade schedules. Copcan coordinated closely with Highstreet’s superintendent and other sub-trades on site to ensure that the schedule was maintained for both buildings. Despite these challenges, the project finished on schedule.
Construction began in the summer of 2022 and was completed in November 2023. Copcan completed the contract work on schedule and was awarded additional work during construction that was not included in the original scope. Copcan worked collaboratively with sub-trades, local municipalities, and Highstreet’s superintendent to bring the project to completion, ensuring the satisfaction of all parties involved.
HDPE pipe was staged a month in advance of the in-line replacement shut down window and fusing was completed two week prior to the shutdown. Copcan crews worked seven consecutive days putting in 12-15 hour shifts in order to complete the installation within the allocated time. Installation was complete one day early.
In addition to the fusing and installation of the HDPE pipe there was also the cutting and welding of two new steel transition spools at the tie-in points complete with flanged connections and paint coating. Once the installation was complete, the HDPE pipe was buried with fill and hydroseeded.