January 4, 2010

With stimulus cash flowing, Windsor, Ontario construction industry ready for 2010

PATRICIA WILLIAMS

staff writer

Thanks in large part to federal and provincial infrastructure stimulus funding, the Windsor construction industry is looking forward to a busy construction season in 2010.

“At the end of the day, ISF will be a major contributor to workloads here in both the heavy and institutional sectors,” said Jim Lyons, executive director of the Windsor Construction Association.

The provincial Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure website indicates that more than $450 million in projects have been announced in Essex County alone. Projects range from roads and sewers to municipal facilities.

“I think we are going to have a pretty good year,” Lyons said noting that quite a few large-scale projects are in the mix.

Major projects include the estimated $110 million Centre for Engineering Innovation at the University of Windsor, the $32 million Centre for Applied Health at St. Clair College, and the city of Windsor’s $60 million retention treatment basin.

Scattered across the county are numerous other projects, from roads, sewers and bridges to recreational complexes.

Lyons said the industry is expected to have sufficient capacity to undertake the upcoming projects.

“The unions have told us that they will be able to supply the required labour,” he said.

In a recent newsletter, Lyons said the commercial and industrial sectors are still in limbo. But he said he is “encouraged” by Ford’s commitment to reinvest in the Essex engine plant.

In another sphere, the local construction industry is also experiencing “some success” when it comes to constructing wind and solar farms throughout the county, Lyons said.

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