For immediate release
GATINEAU, Quebec, December 16, 2011 – Public Works and Government Services Canada announced today the awarding of a contract for the construction management of the former Bank of Montreal building’s full rehabilitation.
The building, located at 144 Wellington Street, is in need of restoration and system upgrades in order to extend its life. The rehabilitation of this important heritage building is part of the Long Term Vision and Plan for the Parliamentary Precinct.
Once the rehabilitation has been completed, the building will permanently serve as the Confederation Room to host ceremonial events and large meetings for Parliament. The Confederation Room will permanently replace Room 200 of the West Block, which provided this function before the building was closed for restoration.
The construction management contract award was based on a best-value, competitive approach. The entire process was observed by an independent Fairness Monitor to verify that it was carried out in a fair, open and transparent manner.
Public Works and Government Services Canada awarded the construction management contract, for the full rehabilitation of the building and the construction of an addition, to EllisDon Corporation, of Ottawa, Ontario. The total cost of the contract is valued at $66 million.
The rehabilitation and construction work for this important heritage building is scheduled to start early in 2012 and be completed by 2015.
Through the rehabilitation of the buildings of the Parliamentary Precinct, the Government of Canada is stimulating the economy and creating jobs, particularly within the specialized labour force.
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Media Relations
Public Works and Government Services Canada
819-956-2315
PWGSC news releases are also available on our Internet site at http://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/medias-media/index-eng.html.
To ensure that our parliamentary heritage is preserved, Public Works and Government Services Canada and its parliamentary partners (the House of Commons, the Senate and the Library of Parliament) established a coordinated approach to the restoration and modernization of the Parliamentary Precinct. The former Bank of Montreal building is an integral part of that approach.
Once the rehabilitation has been completed, the building will host ceremonial events and large meetings for Parliament. A new Confederation Room will permanently replace Room 200 of the West Block, which was previously used for this function.
Architectural History
The building located at 144 Wellington Street was built in the early 1930s by the Bank of Montreal. The bank owned the building until it was purchased by the federal government in 1973 and was its sole tenant until it was vacated in June 2005.
The building’s architecture is a significant example of modern classicism that combines sophisticated art deco styling with traditional beaux-arts planning. It received a classified heritage designation, the highest heritage designation a building can be assigned, in 1986 because of its superior architecture and its contribution to both Wellington and Sparks streets.
Rehabilitation
The vacant building is in need of restoration and system upgrades in order to extend its life for parliamentarians and the public. The modernization of structures within the Parliamentary Precinct will ensure that they continue to serve Canada’s democratic system well into the 21st century.
The majority of the building envelope, mechanical and electrical infrastructures and finishes are original to the building. Given the age and condition of the former Bank of Montreal building, extensive rehabilitation, upgrades and the replacement of its systems are required to meet modern building codes.
The rehabilitation will include the full heritage restoration of the building, structural and seismic upgrades, interior refurbishment, and replacement of all systems, including mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and life safety.
The project will also include the construction of a new 31,000 square foot addition in the vacant lot to the west of the building. The addition will provide a secure entrance for guests to the facility, additional meeting rooms, and essential support functions for the facility, including a loading dock, mechanical rooms, food services, washrooms and coatrooms.
The rehabilitation and construction work for this important heritage building is scheduled to start early in 2012 and be completed by 2015.
Contracting Process
A construction management contract approach is being used to enable multiple construction firms to work on the building at the same time.
The tendering process for engaging a construction manager was launched with the posting of a Request for Proposal (RFP) on the Government’s Electronic Tendering System—MERX. The RFP consisted of technical criteria and a transparent evaluation methodology.
The winning firm had the best combination of technical score and price, which determined the best proposal.
As with all major contracts on Parliament Hill, an independent Fairness Monitor oversaw the entire competitive process and confirmed that the process was completed in a fair, open, competitive and transparent manner.
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