Work to Continue on Confederation Building Renovation

The Williams Government's unprecedented provincial infrastructure strategy is continuing to create and sustain employment and improve public infrastructure throughout the province. Included in this strategy are ongoing exterior renovations to the Confederation Building, East Block in St. John's.

"This is an important public building that is home to the House of Assembly and public employees who help to develop and deliver many important policies, programs and services that serve the people of Newfoundland and Labrador," said the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Transportation and Works. "The renovations to be carried out at this building will improve the comfort and safety of both visitors and staff and help to prolong the life of the building itself."

In 2008, the Department of Transportation and Works engaged outside architectural and engineering consultants to evaluate the condition of the building's exterior. These consultants identified significant deterioration to window systems and brickwork and recommended replacement of all window systems and repair of the masonry.

Phase I of the project, which began last fall and was completed last winter, saw the replacement of five vertical columns of windows and spandrel panels on a section of the north face of the East Block's west wing, along with cleaning of the masonry and any necessary repairs. During investigations carried out during the first phase of work, it was determined that all sections of flat roof on the building were also in need of replacement and that more extensive work is required to repair some of the masonry.

In September of this year, a contract valued at $34.3 million was awarded to Olympic Construction Limited for Phase II of the exterior renovations. This contract calls for the replacement of all remaining window systems and all flat roof sections. Also under this contract, all remaining brickwork will be cleaned, and repaired as necessary. This work will help to modernize and improve the building and, at the same time, make it more energy efficient and provide increased comfort and safety for occupants. Work is expected to start in the coming weeks and to be completed before the end of 2013.

"Once renovations have been completed, the Confederation Building, East Block, will be revitalized and ready to serve the people of the province for many years to come," said Minister Hedderson. "This major renovation project is just one part of our aggressive infrastructure strategy which is helping to create and sustain employment and strengthen the province's economy."

Budget 2010: The Right Investments — For Our Children and Our Future allocated a record $1 billion for provincial infrastructure investments, for a total infrastructure strategy valued at more than $5 billion over the next several years. This investment is expected to generate 7,740 person years of employment in the 2010-11 fiscal year and builds upon the more than $2 billion that has been invested in provincial infrastructure over the past six years.

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Media contact:
Roger Scaplen
Director of Communications
Department of Transportation and Works
709-729-3015, 697-5267
rogerscaplen@gov.nl.ca 

2010 11 05                                                    2:25 p.m.