Toronto, Ontario – June 9, 2008: Aecon Group Inc. (TSX: ARE) announced today that its Buildings Division has been awarded a lump sum contract totaling approximately $130 million by the University of Waterloo to construct the Mike and Ophelia Lazaridis Quantum-Nano Centre on the University’s main campus in Waterloo, Ontario.
The 280,000 square foot complex, designed by KPMB Architects of Toronto, will be visually and architecturally unique, as much of the building’s support structure will be visible on the outside of the building. It has been described by the University as “the most complex scientific building ever constructed for the university”.
The Centre will be a combination of concrete and steel structure with masonry, metal panel and curtain wall cladding systems. When complete, it will house two atria, a number of wet and dry research labs, teaching spaces and offices as well as a specialized low vibration metrology suite and a 10,000 square foot cleanroom facility. The new building will be connected to existing buildings and campus infrastructure by means of above ground bridge links and a below grade service tunnel.
A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Monday, June 9, 2008 at the University of Waterloo, and construction is scheduled to be completed in late 2010.
“This important project award demonstrates once again Aecon’s ability to undertake large and highly engineered projects in the University sector,” said Robert McDonald President, Aecon Buildings. “Aecon is proud to have built the Centre for Environmental and Information Technology at the University of Waterloo, and we are pleased to renew our working relationship with the University.”
Aecon Group Inc. is Canada's largest publicly traded construction and infrastructure development company. Aecon and its subsidiaries provide services to private and public sector clients throughout Canada and internationally. Aecon is pleased to be recognized as one of the 50 Best Employers in Canada as published by Report on Business Magazine.