April 30, 2010

April 30, 2010

Derby at the Downs Set for June 16!

WCA's first-annual Derby at the Downs mixer is the place to be for live thoroughbred horse racing and fine buffet dining on June 16 at Assiniboia Downs.

Assiniboia Downs is one of the most popular dining and entertainment spots in Winnipeg, and offers an ideal venue for this new and exciting member function.

To be a part of the action June 16, reserve your spot or sign on as an event sponsor by completing the attached registration and sponsorship form.

For $500, event sponsors will receive:

• Race named in company's honour (*only eight races available)

• Group picture taken in winner's circle with engraved trophy

• Signage with logo representation

• Recognition in Assiniboia Downs Event Program

• Recognition in the WCA e-News Report and Upword magazine.

Join in on the fun!

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Open Letter from CCA Regarding Stimulus Funding Deadline

Dear CCA Members:

The following are a few talking points to help you in answering questions related to the March 31, 2011, federal deadline for substantial completion of infrastructure stimulus projects.

To determine if this issue is relevant to your association, ask yourself the following questions:

• Have I seen in recent municipal/provincial tenders the inclusion of liquidated damages clauses that hold contractors responsible for any potential loss of federal and/or provincial funding related to project costs exceeding the March 31, 2011, deadline?

• Has my municipal/provincial government provided assurances that they do not intend to withdraw their own project funding should a project exceed the March 2011 deadline?

• Has my municipal/provincial government provided any assurances that they will make up for any federal funding shortfalls related to projects exceeding the March 2011 deadline?

If you are unsure of the answers to these questions, we recommend you become better informed, as the potential liability to contractors can be considerable. CCA recently posted a bulletin on the potential liability contractors may face should such projects exceed the March 2011 deadline for federally funded infrastructure stimulus projects. To view this bulletin, please visit: http://www.cca-acc.com/news/committeebulletins/standard/StdCouncilinfoSheetEn.pdf

While CCA has been working with federal officials to change the existing policy, to date, our efforts have met with only limited success. As such, we will continue to push for a change to existing policy in favour of a more tapered approach to the withdrawal of stimulus.

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me directly at 613 236-9455 ext. 432.

Sincerely,

Bill Ferreira

Director of Government Relations and Public Affairs

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Winnipeg City Council Approves Infrastructure List

Winnipeg City Council approved a list of road, bridge and bike-trail projects by a vote of 9-5 Wednesday, boosted by federal and provincial contributions.

The 11-item list includes the extension of Chief Peguis Trail toward McPhillips Street, traffic improvements in Polo Park and the widening of Kenaston Boulevard in River Heights. It also includes proposed upgrades for local community centres and arenas.

Council also approved its end of a $137.5-million plan to build a new football stadium for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at the University of Manitoba.

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CentreVenture Unveils Plans for Downtown Winnipeg

CentreVenture Development Corp. has tabled proposed plans for new developments in downtown Winnipeg, including a hotel across from the MTS Centre and extending the skywalk system to the University of Winnipeg.

The agency would like to have the area around downtown Portage Avenue designated as a tax increment financing (TIF) zone so the additional property and education taxes generated from any redevelopments can be used to spur on more development in the area.

The proposed plan would divide the downtown around Portage into four distinct districts, with each district designated with its own character and focus, such as sports and entertainment.

"Instead of going south with new development or going north, we want to push it all towards the centre - to strengthen the core," CentreVenture CEO Ross McGowan said.

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MasterFormat ® Undergoes 2010 Upgrades

The Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) and Construction Specifications Canada (CSC) have announced updates to MasterFormat®, their flagship product used to organize construction documents for commercial, industrial and institutional building projects in the United States and Canada.

Read the full press release here

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Manitoba Construction Career Expo

The second-annual Manitoba Construction Career Expo on May 11 is fast approaching, with exhibitor space now filled to capacity.

The Expo is designed to encourage high school students to explore a career in the construction industry, through hands-on demonstrations from industry leaders and trade associations.

Students and Teachers will enjoy...

• Free Admission
• Complimentary Lunch
• Great Prizes
• Busing Reimbursement
• Reimbursement for Substitute Teacher(s)
• Commemorative T-shirt

Registrations came in from schools throughout the province, with nearly 1,200 students officially signed up to attend.

For those contractors already registered to operate a hands-on exhibit at the event, please ensure preparations are continuing. The more interactive and engaging the better!

For those who wish to contribute as an official event sponsor, contact:

Ron Mark

Ready Event Marketing

Phone: (204) 219-4442

readyevent@shaw.ca

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WCA Education

CONSTRUCTION BLUEPRINT READING – Introduction

Two Day Course: May 25-26

QUANTITY TAKE-OFFS – Introduction

Two Day Course: May 27-28

BIM WITH AUTODESKS’S REVIT

Three Day Course: June 1-3

For more information: REGISTER HERE

ONLINE ORIENTATION SESSION

WCA Online Planroom & Manitoba Construction News Online

Date: Wednesday, May 12, 9-10:30 a.m.

Location: WCA - 290 Burnell St.

Description: This session will introduce you to the new Manitoba Construction News Online pre-bid service, as well as all aspects of the Online Planroom. This includes installation, project lists, plan viewing, specs and addenda, online booking, document searching, running bulletins, keyword search and self bidding.

Also receive instruction on the Plan Viewer, which features measuring and counting tools, printing options and tricks. This session will also show you how to use and edit reports, set up a quick launch button and export information into a spreadsheet.

The Online Planroom gives WCA members access to obtain full plans, specs and addenda for over 1,800 projects per year–24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Click here to register.

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Canadians at Work: 50 International Infrastructure Projects

In partnership with ReNew Canada Magazine, the Infrastructure & Environment Team will soon be producing the third edition of our report, Canadians at Work: 50 International Infrastructure Projects. The purpose of this magazine is to demonstrate and promote Canadian expertise to potential buyers by profiling Canadian companies and the construction projects they’re working on. Deadline for submissions is May 10, 2010. For more information, click here

Gas Tax Funds Accelerated for Second Year in a Row

On April 23rd the Government of Canada announced that it is providing municipalities across Canada with an advance (3-months accelerated) payment of Gas Tax Funds to help them to get the most out of the 2010 spring and summer construction seasons. For more information on how this impacts Manitoba, click here

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WCA and MCSC Team Up to Promote Trade Up!

Winnipeg Construction Association, in conjunction with the Manitoba Construction Sector Council, promoted skilled trades in construction to Manitoba high school students and prospective job seekers at the North End Community Career Fair at R.B. Russell Vocational High School yesterday.

WCA's Trade Up! "Explore Your Future in Skilled Trades" booth was busy over the course of the day as students with an eye towards careers in the trades seeked out information on industry trends and hiring practices.

Top of page

Reminder: Don't Forget To "Seal The Deal"

CCDC Copyright Seals are required to be used with the printed electronic versions of CCDC documents. Failing to do so could risk a potential breach of contract later on in the proceedings.

A Copyright Seal’s application is a representation that the document has not been changed from its original form, with the exception only of additions or modifications as may be set forth in supplementary conditions.

A Copyright Seal must be used on all CCDC documents to be executed from printed electronic versions. For example, if there are three copies to be executed, such as one each for the contractor, the owner and the consultant, each copy must first have a Copyright Seal before being signed. A printed electronic CCDC Document with an affixed Copyright Seal is equivalent to an original CCDC hard-copy document.

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Derby at the Downs Set for June 16! Open Letter from CCA Regarding Stimulus Funding Deadline Winnipeg City Council Approves Infrastructure List CentreVenture Unveils Plans for Downtown Winnipeg MasterFormat Undergoes 2010 Upgrades Manitoba Construction Career Expo WCA Education CCA Weekly: Canadians at Work: 50 International Infrastructure Projects Gas Tax Funds Accelerated for Second Year WCA and MCSC Team Up to Promote Trade Up! Reminder: Don't Forget To Seal The Deal WCA OFFICE HOURS Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Manitoba Construction Career Expo May 11, 2010 WCA Spring Golf Tournament May 26, 2010 Registration is full Visit www.winnipegconstruction.ca for full schedule details or call Kelly Thiessen at 775-8664 x 2225 Most courses can be used toward the Gold Seal Program WCA welcomes its newest members: Newton Mechanical Inc. Dan Guillou M. Palapuz Construction Inc. Michael Palapuz Winnipeg Environmental Remediations Inc. Dennis Antony Reimer Overhead Doors Ltd. Kurtis Enns Visit www.winnipegconstruction.ca for membership information or call Kelly Thiessen at 775-8664 x 2225 Congrats to Alan Dowling (ITT Water and Wastewater) on winning the prize draw for a $250 Best Buy gift card. Thanks to all those who participated in our membership survey! For technical difficulties regarding the Online Planroom or Manitoba Construction News Online, please contact: Eric Sigurdson Online Planroom and MCN Online Training Session Dates: May 12 Sign up NOW! ********************* Add Me To The List * Please note: WCA members are already on the list to receive this newsletter * Take Me Off The List *********************	April 30, 2010 Derby at the Downs Set for June 16! WCA's first-annual Derby at the Downs mixer is the place to be for live thoroughbred horse racing and fine buffet dining on June 16 at Assiniboia Downs. Assiniboia Downs is one of the most popular dining and entertainment spots in Winnipeg, and offers an ideal venue for this new and exciting member function. To be a part of the action June 16, reserve your spot or sign on as an event sponsor by completing the attached registration and sponsorship form. For $500, event sponsors will receive: • Race named in company's honour (only eight races available) • Group picture taken in winner's circle with engraved trophy • Signage with logo representation • Recognition in Assiniboia Downs Event Program • Recognition in the WCA e-News Report* and Upword magazine. Join in on the fun! Top of page Open Letter from CCA Regarding Stimulus Funding Deadline Dear CCA Members: The following are a few talking points to help you in answering questions related to the March 31, 2011, federal deadline for substantial completion of infrastructure stimulus projects. To determine if this issue is relevant to your association, ask yourself the following questions: • Have I seen in recent municipal/provincial tenders the inclusion of liquidated damages clauses that hold contractors responsible for any potential loss of federal and/or provincial funding related to project costs exceeding the March 31, 2011, deadline? • Has my municipal/provincial government provided assurances that they do not intend to withdraw their own project funding should a project exceed the March 2011 deadline? • Has my municipal/provincial government provided any assurances that they will make up for any federal funding shortfalls related to projects exceeding the March 2011 deadline? If you are unsure of the answers to these questions, we recommend you become better informed, as the potential liability to contractors can be considerable. CCA recently posted a bulletin on the potential liability contractors may face should such projects exceed the March 2011 deadline for federally funded infrastructure stimulus projects. To view this bulletin, please visit: http://www.cca-acc.com/news/committeebulletins/standard/StdCouncilinfoSheetEn.pdf While CCA has been working with federal officials to change the existing policy, to date, our efforts have met with only limited success. As such, we will continue to push for a change to existing policy in favour of a more tapered approach to the withdrawal of stimulus. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me directly at 613 236-9455 ext. 432. Sincerely, Bill Ferreira Director of Government Relations and Public Affairs Top of page Winnipeg City Council Approves Infrastructure List Winnipeg City Council approved a list of road, bridge and bike-trail projects by a vote of 9-5 Wednesday, boosted by federal and provincial contributions. The 11-item list includes the extension of Chief Peguis Trail toward McPhillips Street, traffic improvements in Polo Park and the widening of Kenaston Boulevard in River Heights. It also includes proposed upgrades for local community centres and arenas. Council also approved its end of a $137.5-million plan to build a new football stadium for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at the University of Manitoba. Top of page CentreVenture Unveils Plans for Downtown Winnipeg CentreVenture Development Corp. has tabled proposed plans for new developments in downtown Winnipeg, including a hotel across from the MTS Centre and extending the skywalk system to the University of Winnipeg. The agency would like to have the area around downtown Portage Avenue designated as a tax increment financing (TIF) zone so the additional property and education taxes generated from any redevelopments can be used to spur on more development in the area. The proposed plan would divide the downtown around Portage into four distinct districts, with each district designated with its own character and focus, such as sports and entertainment. "Instead of going south with new development or going north, we want to push it all towards the centre - to strengthen the core," CentreVenture CEO Ross McGowan said. Top of page MasterFormat ® Undergoes 2010 Upgrades The Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) and Construction Specifications Canada (CSC) have announced updates to MasterFormat®, their flagship product used to organize construction documents for commercial, industrial and institutional building projects in the United States and Canada. Read the full press release here Top of page Manitoba Construction Career Expo The second-annual Manitoba Construction Career Expo on May 11 is fast approaching, with exhibitor space now filled to capacity. The Expo is designed to encourage high school students to explore a career in the construction industry, through hands-on demonstrations from industry leaders and trade associations. Students and Teachers will enjoy... • Free Admission • Complimentary Lunch • Great Prizes • Busing Reimbursement • Reimbursement for Substitute Teacher(s) • Commemorative T-shirt Registrations came in from schools throughout the province, with nearly 1,200 students officially signed up to attend. For those contractors already registered to operate a hands-on exhibit at the event, please ensure preparations are continuing. The more interactive and engaging the better! For those who wish to contribute as an official event sponsor, contact: Ron Mark Ready Event Marketing Phone: (204) 219-4442 readyevent@shaw.ca Top of page WCA Education CONSTRUCTION BLUEPRINT READING – Introduction Two Day Course: May 25-26 QUANTITY TAKE-OFFS – Introduction Two Day Course: May 27-28 BIM WITH AUTODESKS’S REVIT Three Day Course: June 1-3 For more information: REGISTER HERE ONLINE ORIENTATION SESSION WCA Online Planroom & Manitoba Construction News Online Date: Wednesday, May 12, 9-10:30 a.m. Location: WCA - 290 Burnell St. Description: This session will introduce you to the new Manitoba Construction News Online pre-bid service, as well as all aspects of the Online Planroom. This includes installation, project lists, plan viewing, specs and addenda, online booking, document searching, running bulletins, keyword search and self bidding. Also receive instruction on the Plan Viewer, which features measuring and counting tools, printing options and tricks. This session will also show you how to use and edit reports, set up a quick launch button and export information into a spreadsheet. The Online Planroom gives WCA members access to obtain full plans, specs and addenda for over 1,800 projects per year–24 hours a day, seven days a week. Click here to register. Top of page Canadians at Work: 50 International Infrastructure Projects In partnership with ReNew Canada Magazine, the Infrastructure & Environment Team will soon be producing the third edition of our report, Canadians at Work: 50 International Infrastructure Projects. The purpose of this magazine is to demonstrate and promote Canadian expertise to potential buyers by profiling Canadian companies and the construction projects they’re working on. Deadline for submissions is May 10, 2010. For more information, click here Gas Tax Funds Accelerated for Second Year in a Row On April 23rd the Government of Canada announced that it is providing municipalities across Canada with an advance (3-months accelerated) payment of Gas Tax Funds to help them to get the most out of the 2010 spring and summer construction seasons. For more information on how this impacts Manitoba, click here Top of page WCA and MCSC Team Up to Promote Trade Up! Winnipeg Construction Association, in conjunction with the Manitoba Construction Sector Council, promoted skilled trades in construction to Manitoba high school students and prospective job seekers at the North End Community Career Fair at R.B. Russell Vocational High School yesterday. WCA's Trade Up! "Explore Your Future in Skilled Trades" booth was busy over the course of the day as students with an eye towards careers in the trades seeked out information on industry trends and hiring practices. Top of page Reminder: Don't Forget To "Seal The Deal" CCDC Copyright Seals are required to be used with the printed electronic versions of CCDC documents. Failing to do so could risk a potential breach of contract later on in the proceedings. A Copyright Seal’s application is a representation that the document has not been changed from its original form, with the exception only of additions or modifications as may be set forth in supplementary conditions. A Copyright Seal must be used on all CCDC documents to be executed from printed electronic versions. For example, if there are three copies to be executed, such as one each for the contractor, the owner and the consultant, each copy must first have a Copyright Seal before being signed. A printed electronic CCDC Document with an affixed Copyright Seal is equivalent to an original CCDC hard-copy document. Top of page
Comments or Questions? Email: wca@winnipegconstruction.ca • Visit our Web site at www.winnipegconstruction.ca Winnipeg Construction Association is located at 290 Burnell Street, Winnipeg, MB R3G 2A7 • (204) 775-8664 Copyright of Winnipeg Construction Association © 2010.