Stuart Olson wins contract to replace correctional centre in Nanaimo, B.C.

NANAIMO, B.C.—The provincial government has awarded a multimillion-dollar contract to design and build a new jail in Nanaimo, B.C.

A statement from the Ministry of Public Safety last month says Stuart Olson Construction Ltd., is the successful bidder to replace the Nanaimo Correctional Centre. Two First Nations and 17 local partners will collaborate with the builder on the project.

While the Calgary-based firm rose to the top of the bid list for the B.C. project, Stuart Olson was acquired by Bird Construction Inc. last fall. The purchase closed last September, officially bringing the project under the Bird umbrella.

The ministry says design work begins next month and pre-construction should start in the first quarter of 2021, creating 650 direct and 275 indirect jobs.

Funding of $157 million for the jail replacement was approved in June 2019.

The ministry says the project will include Vancouver Island’s first provincial custody unit for women, will maintain the 190-room capacity for male prisoners and have enough cell space to meet the Island’s needs for the next decade.

—With a file from On-Site staff