Updates
June 2007 – Expansion Project – Not Always Good News
In previous issues of Contact, I described the progress to date and future plans regarding the terminal expansion project. For several days, though, bad luck seems to have been dogging our heels and requiring us to work harder to stay on schedule. But don’t worry: we still plan to move into the new waiting lounges this December and are still within budget.
As mentioned previously, the architects had planned to use part of the wood from the demolition of one of the hangars in the north field. They were planning for this wood to be used in several ways: as structural elements for the east wall and as an architectural and decorative element for the skylights, concessions and various other locations. For the architectural elements, there are no problems: the effect will be truly stunning. For the structural elements, however, we have come up against significant constraints.
First, the pieces of wood required for the structure are enormous, but no mills in the area are equipped to plane and sand these pieces of wood. Another option that was considered briefly was to send the 138 pieces to British Columbia and then return them here. The cost was prohibitive. After some research, we finally found a mill in New York State roughly five hours away that was prepared to do the work. However, following discussions with the owner, it appeared that the wood we wanted to send and bring back to Farmington was subject to lumber quotas because it was cut less than 100 years ago. These quotas are administered by the Department of International Trade Canada. Following discussions with representatives from that Department, it appeared that, with the required permission and procedures, we could never meet our deadlines, in the very slim possibility that we could send the wood to the United States. So, as a last resort, we decided to buy new wood for the structural elements. The enormous pieces from the hangar that will not be needed will be offered for sale in the coming months. The new wood will be just as stunning as the wood from the hangar, but will not have its historic feel and aged look.
Another negative impacting the project is the fact that the construction trades are in a period of collective agreement negotiations. These trades are grouped under different union locals on a provincial basis. Some of the issues are not actually local, but we still suffer the consequences. At the time of writing this article, the crane operators were picketing and had shut down the worksite for a day before eventually signing their collective agreement. The labourers had also shut down the site for a day by picketing, but were still on strike. The labourers’ strike affects several construction trades: they are the ones who bring the concrete blocks to the masons, drive the lift trucks, load and unload the cranes, etc. The strikes and picketing are carried out with respect for people and property.
Who knows what other hindrances will arise for us in the coming weeks. Despite these hiccups, though, we are still confident about moving into the new waiting lounges before the end of the year.