January 11, 2013

Western University requires Gold Seal as part of project delivery improvement

PATRICIA WILLIAMS

staff writer

As part of its commitment to “continuous improvement” in project delivery, Western University is requiring that the general contractor’s superintendent on the Music Building project be Gold Seal certified.

Keith Marnoch, director of media and community relations at the London, Ont. university said the increasing technical and scheduling complexity of projects has led Western to include the Gold Seal requirement governing superintendents in its project specifications.

Such a requirement has been in place for more than 12 years, he said.

“Since the implementation of the Gold Seal requirement, the evolution of project delivery at Western has led to the adoption of the LEED program and implementation of project management,” Marnoch said.

Western became aware of the Gold Seal program through the London and District Construction Association.

The project includes 22,000 square feet of renovations to the existing building as well as construction of a 54,000-square-foot addition. The estimated construction cost is $16.5 million. Construction is expected to get under way in March. The university is prequalifying general contractors and key subcontractors to bid the project. The process closed in mid-December. Bids are expected to be called in January.

The requirement that the general contractor’s superintendent be Gold Seal certified was included in the prequalification documents. Marnoch said 25 general contractors expressed interest in being prequalified.

One of the firms that responded is London’s The project is being undertaken by a team that includes Nicholson Sheffield Architects Inc., mechanical/electrical consulting engineers Chorley + Bisset Consulting Engineers and structural engineers Hastings & Aziz Ltd. All firms are based in London.

LEED Silver is being targeted.

Clive Thurston, president of the Ontario General Contractors Association (OGCA) said inclusion of the requirement regarding Gold Seal certification in the prequalification documents constitutes “a very positive development.

“I think we are going to see more of this down the road,” he said.

“Owners are looking for a recognizable standard by which to judge (the professionalism of) contractors’ personnel. Gold Seal sets a standard for ongoing professional development and training.”

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