Construction

Demand for construction and skilled trades workers is higher than ever, but there aren’t enough workers to meet the demand. (Pixabay photo)

Labour shortage hampers B.C. construction industry amid high demand for work

Survey from Independent Contractors and Businesses Association finds 75% of companies are short-staffed

 

Ann Squires Ferguson of Western Design + Build. Lia Crowe photography

Secrets and Lives with CEO Ann Squires Ferguson

Reshaping the construction and design industries

  • Oct 15, 2021

 

City Hall said there has not been interest in constructing wood buildings larger than six storeys in Maple Ridge so far. (The News files)

Will 12-storey wood buildings come to Maple Ridge?

City building six storeys, not part of province’s Tall Wood initiative

 

Doug Howson loads lumber onto a forklift at Haney Builders Supplies, in Maple Ridge, B.C., on June 12, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Do-it-yourself-ers benefit from lower prices in aftermath of lumber correction

A two-by-four inch piece of framing lumber that cost $12.65 on June 1 is now selling for $3.95

Doug Howson loads lumber onto a forklift at Haney Builders Supplies, in Maple Ridge, B.C., on June 12, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Emergency vehicles responded to the scene at the former Empire Theatres building in North Vancouver after the building partially collapsed during construction. (Nigel Hubbard/Twitter)

1 person dead, another injured after partial building collapse in North Vancouver

North Vancouver RCMP’s Serious Crimes Unit has assumed conduct of the investigation

Emergency vehicles responded to the scene at the former Empire Theatres building in North Vancouver after the building partially collapsed during construction. (Nigel Hubbard/Twitter)
Concrete being poured for new leisure centre pools. (The News files)

Contractor wins award for work on Maple Ridge Leisure Centre

Chandos recognized by construction association

Concrete being poured for new leisure centre pools. (The News files)
May 15, 2021, 2021 - Kyle Velikovsky photographed in front of boats and boat houses at Van Isle Marina for Secrets and Lives in Boulevard Victoria. Don Denton photograph

Secrets and Lives With Kyle Velikovsky

White Wolf Homes custom home builder talks business and life

  • Jun 28, 2021
May 15, 2021, 2021 - Kyle Velikovsky photographed in front of boats and boat houses at Van Isle Marina for Secrets and Lives in Boulevard Victoria. Don Denton photograph
In a Council of Construction Associations video about hardhat safety, Vickramjit Poonia of Lecor Construction Ltd. (right) speaks as David Sarai of New York Painting (left) looks on, at a Surrey job site. (Youtube.com)

B.C.’s relaxed hardhat rules aim to include more turban-wearing workers on job sites

WorkSafeBC change ‘will allow more Sikhs to come to work without having to compromise religious beliefs’

In a Council of Construction Associations video about hardhat safety, Vickramjit Poonia of Lecor Construction Ltd. (right) speaks as David Sarai of New York Painting (left) looks on, at a Surrey job site. (Youtube.com)
Albion Community Centre in phase 2 of construction plan. (City of Maple Ridge)

Albion Community Centre closer to completion

Construction is expected to wrap up fall 2021

Albion Community Centre in phase 2 of construction plan. (City of Maple Ridge)
Work is expected to take place from the beginning of the week of May 17 until mid-July. (File photo)

Transportation infrastructure getting improvements in Pitt Meadows

2021 capitol works program will see traffic calming and accessibility improvements

Work is expected to take place from the beginning of the week of May 17 until mid-July. (File photo)
Lumber is shown in the back of a van in this recent image provided by the Saskatoon Police Service. The skyrocketing prices for lumber is fuelling a trend that has authorities across the country warning builders to keep their guard up. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Saskatoon Police Service-Const. Derek Chesney *MANDATORY CREDIT*

‘It is a gold mine:’ Builders warned of rising lumber thefts across Canada

Many North American mills curtailed production temporarily earlier in 2020 because of COVID lockdowns

Lumber is shown in the back of a van in this recent image provided by the Saskatoon Police Service. The skyrocketing prices for lumber is fuelling a trend that has authorities across the country warning builders to keep their guard up. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Saskatoon Police Service-Const. Derek Chesney *MANDATORY CREDIT*
A water main upgrade on Dewdney Trunk Road in Maple Ridge is expected to take until the end of May. (Ronan O’Doherty - The News)

Road work ahead

Street construction update for Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows

A water main upgrade on Dewdney Trunk Road in Maple Ridge is expected to take until the end of May. (Ronan O’Doherty - The News)
Inflation rose 2.2 per cent in March 2021 compared to March 2020, according to Statistics Canada. Month-to-month inflation rose 1.1 per cent in March over February. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang)

Inflation up 2.2% in March but figures reflect declines during pandemic

Monthly inflation rose 1.1 per cent in March over February

Inflation rose 2.2 per cent in March 2021 compared to March 2020, according to Statistics Canada. Month-to-month inflation rose 1.1 per cent in March over February. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang)
This renovation earned Maple Ridge’s West Coast Dream Homes a spot on the shortlist for a HAVAN homebuilder award. It’s the renovation of a project called West Coast Revival, and the value of contending projects had to range between $200,000 and $399,999. (Special to The News)

Local builders make awards shortlists

Number of Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows developers among Georgie and HAVAN 2021 finalists

This renovation earned Maple Ridge’s West Coast Dream Homes a spot on the shortlist for a HAVAN homebuilder award. It’s the renovation of a project called West Coast Revival, and the value of contending projects had to range between $200,000 and $399,999. (Special to The News)
Charlotte and Travis Erdely

Life and style with Charlotte Erdeley

Custom home building as a team with husband Travis

  • Feb 1, 2021
Charlotte and Travis Erdely
Ed Geric of Mike Geric Construction. Photo by Lia Crowe

Life and style interview with Ed Geric

A passion for family, community and development projects

  • Jan 13, 2021
Ed Geric of Mike Geric Construction. Photo by Lia Crowe
A worker smooths concrete at a residential housing construction site in Toronto, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020. Consultants at BTY say construction activity could pick up next year in many provinces, amid anticipated spending on infrastructure and renewable energy.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston

Construction spending could rebound next year amid government support, report says

Government stimulus spending could help the construction industry find its footing next year

A worker smooths concrete at a residential housing construction site in Toronto, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020. Consultants at BTY say construction activity could pick up next year in many provinces, amid anticipated spending on infrastructure and renewable energy.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston
An excavator is underwater at the new pump station being built at Golden Ears Way and 113B Avenue. (Special to The News)

Excavator takes a dip at Maple Ridge construction site

Metro Vancouver is investigating the incident at Golden Ears Way and 113B Avenue

An excavator is underwater at the new pump station being built at Golden Ears Way and 113B Avenue. (Special to The News)
Unbuilders owner Adam Corneil with employee Erin Watkins in front of a deconstructed hearth. Unbuilders crews carefully deconstruct old homes to rescue as many reusable materials as possible, including old-growth timber. (Unbuilders photo)

B.C. deconstruction company ignites Dragons’ Den interest

Unbuilders deconstructs and salvages old buildings instead of sending them to landfill

Unbuilders owner Adam Corneil with employee Erin Watkins in front of a deconstructed hearth. Unbuilders crews carefully deconstruct old homes to rescue as many reusable materials as possible, including old-growth timber. (Unbuilders photo)
A construction site in Langley’s Willoughby neighbourhood August 23, 2020. (Dan Ferguson/Langley Advance Times)

How a push for better COVID protections helped B.C. construction workers keep going

Building Trades Council executive director Andrew Mercier maintains the measures prevented a shutdown

A construction site in Langley’s Willoughby neighbourhood August 23, 2020. (Dan Ferguson/Langley Advance Times)