United States president Donald Trump’s trade war with Canada has had an unexpected effect on construction of the new Powell River Canadian Coast Guard Station.
Scheduled for completion at the end of November 2018 or early 2019, Industra Group site superintendent Troy Balle said the work schedule has had to be pushed ahead.
“We’ve ran into some difficulties with the aluminum structure with the tariffs from the US,” said Balle. “That kind of throws a wrinkle into this a little bit. The manufacturer had to get some aluminum from China.”
Industra Group, a Vancouver company, is the contractor for the project. Balle said Industra gave as many Powell River companies the opportunity to bid on the job as possible. Successful tenders include Shaun Gloslee Excavating, Valley Building Supplies and Custom Flooring Centres.
The aluminum is used for the prefabricated modular components that are put together piece by piece like a big erector set and fixed to the foundation, according to Balle.
“It’s a prefab aluminum structure that goes on and that’s being manufactured in Edmonton right now,” he said. “That will show up on site. That’ll go up, then insulated panels go in. We have some wood framing to do, and roofing and closing everything in.”
By using modular components, the facility could be moved to a different location if necessary.
The new station is adjacent to the sea walk on the site where the old city barge terminal was located.
When completed, the building will serve as the land-based operations centre for coast guard search and rescue in Powell River.
Canadian Coast Guard’s presence in Powell River will remain status quo, according to communications advisor for the Canadian Coast Guard and Fisheries and Oceans Canada Michelle Imbeau.
“The plan is for improvements to infrastructure only, moving from a retail office space to a dedicated stand-alone coast guard facility,” said Imbeau. “The new facility will integrate a workshop, storage, change rooms and allow for close proximity to vessels.”
Currently, the coast guard in Powell River is based out of an office at Courtenay Street and Willingdon Avenue.
There will be no new coast guard vessels or increase in personnel associated with the new station, according to Imbeau. Costs have not been finalized as construction is not yet complete, she said.
City of Powell River chief financial officer Adam Langenmaier said the single-storey building is on land that is being leased from the city for five years from October 1, 2017, to September 30, 2022.
