Wood Innovation Design Centre down to three bidders
Three companies have been shortlisted to submit a request for proposal for the Wood Innovation and Design Centre.
Maple Reinders/Cree, W/C Design + Build and PCL Westcoast Constructors 1057 Inc. were the three of the seven who took part in the request for qualifications process.
MLA Pat Bell, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training announced the names of the three companies moving forward in the process alongside Mayor Shari Green on Monday on the steps of city hall.
"All seven of them were very good," he said, adding the finalists were chosen by a selection committee.
The three design teams will will submit proposals to undertake the design and construction of the WIDC, Bell said.The building will showcase the province's expertise and global reputation as a leader in wood construction and design as well as engineered wood products.
Responses will be evaluated based on cost and the level of innovation demonstrated. Once complete the building will house academic and research programming with the University of Northern B.C. plus office space for industry and possibly provincial government use.
"UNBC is very involved," Bell said. "There will be a formal announcement for programming in the near future."
"The city is very excited." said Green. "Council worked quite some time for this project. I know it will be unique. It will be great for Prince George and the province."
Construction on the centre is expected to begin early 2013 and completed in the fall of 2014.
The WIDC will be built on land once occupied by the Prince George Hotel at the corner of George Street and Fifth Avenue, which the city purchased for $2.5 million and then spent another $1 million demolishing and getting it ready for the centre.
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