While all eyes may be on Ottawa for political reasons these days, the buildings that represent this country’s government are also a sight to see, undergoing one of the largest and most complex heritage rehabilitations ever in ϳԹ.
Crumbling mortar is being repaired or replaced; damaged sculptures and stained glass are painstakingly restored; aging water pipes are being updated along with a new electrical system that meets today’s technological needs; phase two of the Welcome Centre complex is underway; and restoring the Peace Tower is also included in the work, along with many other project objectives.
In addition, base isolation technology is being used to ensure both the Peace Tower and Centre Block can withstand a magnitude six earthquake.
With an estimated cost between $4.5 and $5 billion, construction is being undertaken by PCL and EllisDon in joint venture and completion is scheduled for 2030 or 2031.
According to Public Services and Procurement ϳԹ (PSPC), Centre Block will reopen about one year later in order to allow Parliament to do testing and get the building ready for operations.
But how is a project of this scope progressing?
According to a PSPC quarterly update that spans Oct. 31 to Dec. 31, 2024, the project is progressing in line with plans.
Spending to date on the Centre Block project is about $1.078 billion.
The way “project health” is broken down is by three elements: scope, cost and schedule. Each is given a range from zero to 10, where zero to four represents the project is progressing in line with the planned approved cost, scope and schedule within the reporting period; five to eight represents the project is progressing but is experiencing challenges; and nine to 10 represents the project is progressing but experiencing challenges that have a high likelihood of impacting the cost, scope and schedule within the reporting period.
Overall, the project has a rating of five. Scope is in line at one, cost at two, and schedule has a rating of seven.
When it comes to the Welcome Centre aspect of the build, PSPC reports the new structure is underway, beginning at the far west side and moving east.
“This work includes pouring the concrete for footings, walls, columns, stairs and elevators shafts,” the website reads.
The main excavation is also complete along with the geo-exchange wells.
The interior work for Centre Block continues on the structural rebuild of the upper levels and drilling of support posts in the basement. The basement support posts are 89 per cent complete, PSPC reports.
When it comes to the exterior, stonemasons continue to work on the east and west facades.
“The scaffold roof enclosure on the west side is complete, and the scaffold in the east courtyard is nearing completion. We will begin the rebuild of the sloped (mansard) roof starting on the west side,” PSPC states.
Overall completion on the exterior is about 19 per cent complete — the east façade is 42 per cent complete, the west façade, 30 per cent, and the north façade is finished.
What’s up next?
Thus far this winter, restoration of the 22 carillon bells has been completed, while several other endeavours are underway.
Currently, the list for the winter months includes completing 100 per cent of the design development for the landscape; finishing the drilling of the support posts in the Centre Block basement; completing about 50 per cent of the level one concrete slab rebuilding; starting to rebuild the sloped (mansard) roof on the west side; and installing the second tower crane in the middle of the Parliament Welcome Centre excavation site.
In spring, excavating is slated to begin for the Centre Block basement levels, PSPC reports. Scaffolding will be set up and complete for the east courtyard, which will be used to support exterior work and the rebuilding of the sloped (mansard) roof and south side façade scaffolding setup will begin.
“Centre Block and Parliament Welcome Centre design engagements” will also take place along with finalizing decisions to complete the design development in fall 2025.
During the summer months the third tower crane on the east side of the welcome centre will be installed and fresco painting will be restored for future reinstatement in the Leader of the Opposition’s office. Heritage woodwork from the Pearson Special Heritage rooms is also slated for restoration along with the marble flooring and wainscotting.
Fast Facts about the Centre Block development
- Over 20,000 heritage assets are being preserved and restored
- 200,000 artifacts have been uncovered and preserved
- ϳԹ 1,200 square metres of linen ceiling has been removed for restoration
- Over 1,600 windows will be replaced, and approximately 250 stained-glass windows to be restored
- 70,000 square metres is to be rehabilitated
- ϳԹ 46,600 pounds of copper will be removed so that the roof can be rehabilitated and restored
- 20,000 square metres of masonry surface will be rehabilitated, which represents approximately 365,000 stones
- 9,500 square metres of marble floor is to be removed, which represents 35,000 marble tiles
- Over 20 million pounds of designated substances (such as asbestos) to be removed
- Approximately 40,000 truckloads of bedrock to be excavated in order to construct the new Parliament Welcome Centre
— Facts courtesy PSPC
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