TORONTO—The 2014 recipients for the National Awards for Innovation and Excellence in Public-Private Partnerships (P3s) were recently celebrated during the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships’ (CCPPP) annual conference in Toronto.
"The Council’s Awards Program has become increasingly competitive, which really speaks volumes about the calibre of the projects selected," stated Mark Romoff, president and CEO of CCPPP.
Among this year’s winners are projects that bring Canadians safe, clean drinking water; improved wastewater management; clean, reliable sources of energy; improved transportation routes; consolidated judicial services; and health care facilities that are focused on the patients.
"With 219 P3 projects across the country delivering consistent strong results, Canada is solidifying its record as best in class," added Romoff.
Gold Award Winners
BC Hydro’s John Hart Generating Station Replacement Project (Project Financing)
This is a $1.093 billion project that began in March 2014 to replace the 67-year-old John Hart generating station and deal with earthquake preparedness, reliability and environmental issues.
The annual generation capacity increases from supplying about 74,000 homes to about 80,000 homes. This facility is being built completely underground, states CCPPP, and is slated to better support Elk Falls Provincial Park.
Financing for this project is a combination of funding with a sole equity provider and debt financing made up of a short-term loan and 19-year bond from the private sector in addition to $700 million from BC Hydro.
Elgin County Courthouse
(Infrastructure)
The $249-million project included the restoration of the heritage courthouse, connecting it to the former Land Registry Office through a modern addition. It also consolidated the Superior Court of Justice and the Ontario Court of Justice under one roof.
During this project, the interior of historic building was refurbished while most of the exterior façades were maintained.
Heritage features of the two buildings, such as the copper roofed dome, original furniture and fittings, decorative plasterwork, stained glass, wainscoting and window trim were preserved and incorporated into the new design.
The complex was designed to LEED Silver standards and includes state-of-the-art technology, security, energy efficiency, indoor environments, enhanced interpretation facilities and barrier-free accessibility in its eight courtrooms and three conference rooms, states the CCPPP.
It also came in 10 per cent lower than the estimated cost to deliver it through traditional procurement methods, resulting in a projected savings of $27.1 million.
Silver Award Winners
North Island Hospitals Project
(Infrastructure Sustainability)
Rising demand for health services on north and mid-Vancouver Island prompted the construction of the Comox Valley Hospital and the Campbell River Hospital, which will be a LEED Gold standard facility.
The CCPPP notes this facility is the first time a green bond has been used to fund a public-private partnership project in North America and the first time a green bond has been issued to finance public infrastructure in Canada. The 32.3-year bond raised $231.5 million, and was oversubscribed by investors.
South Fraser Perimeter Road
(Infrastructure)
This highway in Metro Vancouver was part of the Pacific Gateway Program to improve the movement of people and goods through the region. It was touted as featuring an exemplary level of transparency with approximately 5,000 local residents and stakeholders participating in the extensive consultation process.
The idea was to ensure that the project reflected community, economic, agricultural and environmental values. The project is expected save taxpayers $34 million, states the CCPPP, and could lead to 7,000 long-term jobs in the municipalities of Delta and Surrey as well as 4,000 jobs during the construction period.
The first segment of the road opened to traffic in December 2012 and the second segment in December 2013. The total project cost was $1.26 billion, shared between the province of B.C. and the government of Canada.
Award of Merit
Evan Thomas Water and Wastewater Treatment
(Infrastructure)
A growing population, increased tourism in the Kananaskis Country, more stringent environmental standards and the availability of newer, more effective technology were all factors that led to Alberta Infrastructure’s decision to procure the Evan Thomas Water and Wastewater Facilities Upgrade Project.
Consisting of new water treatment facilities and two new reservoirs, the facility will deliver high-quality drinking water to residents, businesses and tourists in the Evan Thomas Recreational Area.
The total cost of the 12-year contract is $59.6 million, saving a projected $2.4 million, explains the CCPPP, compared to a traditional approach and transferring key construction and operation risks to the private sector.
C.W. Chuck Wills Award
City of Regina Wastewater
After a rigorous evaluation process, the City of Regina council unanimously approved a public-private partnership, which was then ratified in a public referendum in order to upgrade its wastewater treatment plant.
The upgrade was needed to meet the needs of a fast-growing population, replace aging infrastructure and meet higher wastewater effluent quality standards.
The total project cost provides an estimated savings of $138.1 million versus the traditional procurement model, states CCPPP. The new facility also aims to improve energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve water quality in Wascana Creek and the Qu’Appelle River and Lake system.
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