The Wood Innovation and Design Centre (WIDC), one of the tallest contemporary wood buildings in North America, officially opened today, on budget and on time, further positioning B.C. as a leader in wood innovation and design.

Construction of the 29.5-metre, six-storey high WIDC began in 2013 with 13 different B.C. companies working collaboratively and employing about 250 staff throughout the province.

The WIDC will be a catalyst for future tall wood construction not just in B.C. but across Canada, North America and around the globe. The building uses a variety of wood products from all parts of British Columbia, including Douglas-fir, cedar, hemlock, pine and spruce, as well as engineered wood products produced in B.C.

The University of Northern British Columbia will occupy the first, second and third floors, including a lecture theatre on the main level. UNBC is developing two new master’s programs in engineering that are expected to be offered at the WIDC beginning in September 2015. Occupancy plans are being finalized for the remaining floors with details to be released in the coming weeks.

The location of the Media and Broadcast Centre for the 2015 Canada Winter Games at WIDC was also announced. The partnership with UNBC and the Province is perfect timing to highlight the innovation of the WIDC to the country as Prince George hosts Canada’s elite amateur athletes just 104 days from now.

Details for an open house, including public tours of the new building will be announced shortly.

(flickr.com)

Quotes:

Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour -

“Prince George is home to this iconic building that would be an asset in any major city around the world. The WIDC demonstrates the full potential of building with wood. What we are opening today is the result of the collaboration of 13 British Columbia companies and the innovation and expertise from our wood industry with contributions from sawmills and value-added wood manufacturers, wood engineers, architects and designers from our province.”

Mike Morris, MLA for Prince George-Mackenzie -

“The Wood Innovation and Design Centre’s opening is significant for Prince George and our region. It will help grow B.C.'s expertise and global reputation as a leader in innovative wood construction, wood products and design.”

Coralee Oakes, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development -

“Congratulations to everyone involved on the completion of the Wood Innovation and Design Centre. It will be such a striking facility for the official Media and Broadcast Centre and a lasting legacy of the type of innovation and natural beauty that makes this region so unique.”

Mayor Shari Green, City of

“The City of Prince George is pleased to be a funding partner for the Wood Innovation and Design Centre, contributing over $4.5 million in land acquisition support, site preparations and the creation of park space around the building. The Wood Innovation and Design Centre will become a focal point for the downtown core, with its striking architecture and design. The WIDC is a testament to the hard work and dedication of those in the forestry industry and the confidence we have in the role of wood in our future.”

Michael Green, lead architect, Michael Green Architecture -

“The WIDC project is a global milestone for mass timber construction. The B.C. government has demonstrated exceptional leadership in the advancement of ideas that will reshape our cities with healthier, more energy-efficient and more climate-sensitive building solutions. The advancement of mass timber and tall wood buildings requires an evolution of our building codes around the world. The WIDC provides the essential demonstration project for advancing our codes, building our forestry and construction industry, and sustaining and creating jobs throughout the province. It has been a tremendous honour to be part of such an important project; lead by our province and serving our entire community. From forestry to forest products; from design to construction; and from research and testing to education, the WIDC celebrates B.C. as a province with vision.”

Daniel Weeks, president, University of Northern British Columbia -

“Just last week, the UNBC Senate approved courses in areas such as structural and sustainable design, wood science, and wood processing that will comprise our master of engineering in integrated wood design. We can now see that the programming offered in the WIDC will be as inspiring, practical and innovative as the building itself.”

Stuart Ballantyne, CEO, 2015 Canada Winter Games -

“We are proud of our continued partnership with the Province of British Columbia. The Wood Innovation and Design Centre is located in the heart of Games Village and will host members of our national, provincial, regional and local media for 18 days of the 2015 Canada Winter Games. This wood first facility will help showcase our northern story to the nation and will serve as a broadcast and media hub for our television, webcast, livestream, social media, print and radio initiatives.”

Quick Facts:

• The building uses a variety of wood products from all parts of British Columbia, including Douglas-fir, cedar, hemlock, pine and spruce. Engineered wood products used in the design, such as glulam columns and beams, cross-laminated timber (CLT) and laminated veneer lumber (LVL) are all produced in B.C.
• The design-build team of PCL Westcoast Constructors Ltd. was awarded the WIDC contract in 2013, a team including Michael Green Architecture Inc. (architects), PCL (construction lead and project manager), Equilibrium Consulting Inc. (structural engineer), B.R. Thorson Consulting Ltd. (code consultant), and RDH Building Engineering Ltd. (building envelope). A full list of companies can be found in the backgrounder.
• The WIDC was identified as a government commitment in three throne speeches (February and September 2009, and February 2010).
• The project has created 250 jobs, helped get goods to market (through the marketing of B.C. wood products and innovation), and will further open and expand markets (showcasing B.C.’s expertise in wood construction and design through UNBC’s master of engineering program specializing in wood building and innovation).
• The 2015 Canada Winter Games run from Feb. 13 - March 1, 2015, in Prince George. Northern British Columbia will play host to 2,400 athletes, 1,000 coaches and officials, up to 4,500 volunteers, hundreds of media and thousands of visitors. This event will be the largest multi-sport and cultural event to ever be held in Prince George and northern British Columbia and is forecasted to generate an economic impact of over $90 million while building champions and inspiring dreams amongst Canadian youth.

Learn More:

Video on the Making of the WIDC: http://youtu.be/be1LVts-yjU

naturally:wood: http://www.naturallywood.com/

WIDC Web site: http://www.jtst.gov.bc.ca/woodinnovation/

UNBC Engineering: http://www.unbc.ca/engineering/

MGA Architecture: http://mg-architecture.ca/

2015 Canada Winter Games: http://www.canadagames2015.ca/

Media Contacts:

Media Relations
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Responsible for Labour
250 387-2799

BACKGROUNDER

WIDC officially opens, to house 2015 Canada Winter Games Media and Broadcast Centre

Owner: Province of B.C.
Owner Representative: Partnerships British Columbia Inc.
Architect and Renderings: MGA |Michael Green Architecture, Vancouver
Structural Engineer: Equilibrium Consulting Inc., Vancouver
Code Consultant: B.R. Thorson Consulting Ltd., CHM Fire Consultants, Vancouver
Building Envelope: RDH Building Engineering Ltd., Victoria
General Contractor:PCL Constructors Westcoast Inc., Vancouver
Mechanical/Electrical/LEED:MMM Group Ltd., Vancouver
Acoustic Consultant: Aercoustics Engineering Ltd, Toronto
Fire Safety Consultant: CHM Fire Consultants Ltd, Ottawa
Civil: Opus Dayton Knight Consultants Ltd., North Vancouver
Geotechnical: Geopacific Consultants Ltd, Vancouver
Commissioning:Inland Technical, Kamloops and Kelowna
Landscape: Jay Lazzarin Landscape Architect, Prince George
Elevator: Vertech, Vancouver
Equity Plumbing & Heating: Mechanical Contractor, Prince George
IDL Projects Inc.: Site Services Contractor, Prince George
Rolling Mix Concrete: Foundation Concrete Contractor, Prince George
Houle Electric:  Electrical Contractor, Prince George
KONE Inc.:Elevator Contractor, Prince George
Glastech Contracting Ltd.: Curtain Wall Contractor, Vancouver
Admiral Roofing Ltd.:Roofing Contractor, Prince George
Harris Rebar: Reinforcing Steel Contractor, Prince George
Nicola Logworks Ltd.: Wood Structure Installer, Merritt
Structurlam Products Ltd.: Cross Laminated Timber Supplier, Penticton
Coulson Cedar: Western Red Cedar Exterior Paneling Supplier, Port Alberni
Brisco Manufacturing Ltd.: Laminated Veneer Lumber Supplier, Brisco
Insulspan: Structural Insulated Panel System Supplier, Penticton

Media Contact:

Media Relations
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Responsible for Labour
250 387-2799