Project agreement signed for nuclear materials research centre

As the largest single capital investment in the revitalization of the Chalk River campus, the ANMRC will be a 10,000 square metre research complex that will accommodate 240 employees and consolidate key capabilities from aging facilities that are scheduled for decommissioning. (Image: Canadian Nuclear Laboratories)

An integrated project delivery (IPD) agreement is now in place for the design and construction of the Chalk River Laboratories’ new laboratory research complex, the Advanced Nuclear Materials Research Centre (ANMRC). The ANMRC will be one of the largest nuclear research facilities ever constructed in Canada and will serve as the backbone of the Canadian Nuclear Laboratories’ (CNL) research and development infrastructure. Construction of the Ontario-based complex is scheduled to begin next year.

Construction of the ANMRC is part of a 10-year transformation of the Chalk River campus, funded through a $1.2 billion investment from Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, the owner of the site, on behalf of the Government of Canada. This includes the revitalization of essential site infrastructure and a significant investment in new, world-class science facilities.

With a goal of increased collaboration and shared success, the IPD agreement is a single, multi-party contract that designates the roles and responsibilities of all the companies involved in the complex capital project. The IPD team leading the construction of the ANMRC includes CNL, Chandos Construction Inc., Bird Construction Inc., M. Sullivan & Son Limited, Eclipse Automation, J2PG Consultants, Merrick & Company, Modern Niagara, MSE, Plan Group and Siemens.

In building its IPD team, CNL made it a priority to retain qualified local organizations wherever possible, and to incentivize the use of local resources in the work, to ensure the project brings economic benefits and employment opportunities to the region.

“After an extensive validation phase, I’m very happy to announce that we have all the necessary organizations in place to move into the next stage of the design and construction of this exciting new research facility,” commented Joe McBrearty, CNL president and CEO. “The revitalization of the Chalk River campus is designed to position CNL as a world leader in nuclear science and technology, and the ANMRC is at the centre of this vision.”

The ANMRC will be a 10,000 square metre research complex that will accommodate 240 employees.