"Company wins bid to build Canadian airport showpiece"

Wednesday, July 18, 2001

PLC wins bid to build airport showpiece
Architecture of central hall to link old and new terminals
By David Finlayson
Canada - The Edmonton Journal


Timing is everything in the construction business -- just ask PCL
vice-president Ric Forest.

His 40-person concrete crew had just finished work on the new NAIT
technology and communications building when they learned they will start on
the showpiece central hall at the International Airport.

PCL was awarded the $43-million contract Tuesday.

The crew had moved to NAIT right after working on the U of A engineering
building.

"That's three in a row that we've had great timing," Forest said.

"It's great for the crew because they're working constantly, and it's great
for us because they're very finely tuned now."

The airport's central hall, which will link the year-old, PCL-built south
terminal and the old airport building, poses some challenges, Forest said.

It will include an energy-efficient water retention system -- virtually a
swimming pool below ground -- that will help heat the building in winter and
keep it cool in summer.

"The water table is very high at the airport, so we'll be building the
retention system a foot or two above it, while trying not to disturb it."

Edmonton Airports' CEO Scott Clements said he was delighted to see three
bids from three solid companies for the central hall, the third phase of a
$300-million redevelopment project.

"PCL was clearly the low bidder. They are also an Edmonton-based company we
are familiar with."

Work on the hall, which begins Aug. 1, will not interfere with the arrival
of the about 8,000 athletes, media and officials for the World Track and
Field Championships Aug. 3-11, Clements said.

"We have an excellent and detailed plan to get them almost on an individual
basis through the new terminal," he said.

The two-level, 17,000-square-metre hall, scheduled for completion in 2003,
will make strong architectural statements.

It will continue the prairie harvest colours and textures of the south
terminal and will contain a high-profile central art piece -- commissioned
through competition, Clements said.

The upper departure level will feature a nine-metre curved ceiling that will
let in natural light, the open holding room will accommodate 600 people and
an indoor observation area will overlook both the holding room and the two
main runways.

The hall will also contain all four security checkpoints, specialty retail
and several food and beverage outlets.

Clements said the rapid growth of Westjet's business through Edmonton will
move up plans to upgrade the old terminal.

The Calgary-based discount airline now makes up 25 per cent of the airport's
business and will hit a million Edmonton passengers later this year.

Attached Photo:

The customs and immigration area is demolished to make way for a new
$43-million central hall between the old and new terminals.

edmonton_terminal.jpg