Our Work
BC Housing & Tsain-Ko: “Our House of Clans”
Gwaii provided civil and environmental engineering services for this BC Housing project. The “Our House of Clans” project is a six-story residential/commercial building atop a concrete parade. The finished building will provide 34 dwelling units for Nation members as well as a community kitchen and ground floor commercial space.
Indigenous capacity-building efforts included engaging Indigenous subcontractors, employing a field technician selected from the community to work with both the civil engineer and the civil contractor, and providing training and job shadowing to interested community members.
Gwaii’s scope included:
- Prepare Onsite Roadworks and Parking Plans: plan, profile and cross section of access road, tie into existing roadway.
- Prepare Offsite Works Plan.
- Prepare Onsite Site Servicing Plans including fire hydrants and water meters as required – tie into existing SCRD services, coordinate underground electrical, cable & phone servicing with electrical engineer.
- Prepare Subgrade and Final Grading Plans: coordinate with geotechnical engineer as required.
- Prepare Stormwater Management Plan: coordinate with mechanical engineer.
- Prepare Sediment & Erosion Control Plan.
REAY CREEK, REMEDIATION PROJECT
The Kel,Set (Reay) Creek Pond Remediation Project remediated contaminated soils that have been impacted by former industrial processes within the upgradient Transport Canada Site. Work under this contract included:
Design and construction of a creek bypass system to allow excavation within a dry creek bed. Excavation, transport and disposal of contaminated creek sediments. Restoration of creek bedding and reinstatement of the creek.
A Water Management Plan (WMP) was developed to provide an overall comprehensive strategy for the management of water during the draining of the creek, diversion of water around the excavation, management of seepage water within the work area, and reinstatement of the creek.
TRENT FORCE MAIN
Malahat Nation Marina and Boat launch
TSAWOUT LONGHOUSE
After the Tsawout Nation lost their Longhouse in a devastating fire in 2009, rebuilding of their cultural home is underway. The new Big House will be a cultural gathering place, a home for the revitalization of cultural practices, a place for traditional teaching and learning, and a place for the revitalization of traditional social structures. This beautiful multi-purpose building is over 14,000 square feet and soars at a height of nearly 45 ft with its built-in smoke vent roofing. It is constructed of mass timber posts and trusses, which were partially assembled using traditional methods and sourced locally, adding to its sustainability.
The Longhouse is equipped with its own kitchen and includes a generously sized dining area, further upholding the Nation’s spirit of hosting meaningful gatherings. The building lot itself is perched 325 ft above sea level, offering spectacular views of the Cordova Channel and mountain ranges beyond. Furthermore, it uses a modern engineered design for stormwater management, via rain gardens and rock pits which minimize the impact of water runoff on the surrounding environment.
Gwaii’s scope of work: GWAII worked with the Nation to pull teams together and assisted with the funding applications to make the project more viable. GWAII is now overseeing the project management on their new ceremonial longhouse which is slated for completion later this year. Over the last 1.5 years, Gwaii has been on-site overseeing the site servicing and drainage works. Recently, Gwaii was asked to design a parking lot, access road, and rain garden to accompany the site.
CRD TREATMENT PLANT – MCLOUGHLIN POINT
For approximately 100 years, McLoughlin Point was the site of a bulk fuel /oil storage and transfer station. In 2017, construction for the new CRD Waste Water Treatment Plant at the site began and contamination in soils was identified during preliminary site excavations. GEL was retained by the general construction contractor to perform investigations and guide remediation with the goal of obtaining a Certificate of Compliance for the site ahead of the commissioning of the plant.
“At Tsawout First Nation we have been very pleased with the work of Gwaii Engineering. Like many First Nations we are challenged with aging infrastructure for sewer, water, and drainage. We have benefitted from the Team at Gwaii who have jumped in to help us through planned and unplanned intervention projects. Their insights are helpful and we would recommend their company to other First Nations.”
Mavis Underwood, Councillor, Tsawout First Nation
“The Capital Regional District was satisfied having engaged Gwaii Engineering Ltd. to complete an environmental Site assessment in 2019. They were responsive and professional and would recommend them to associates.”
Stephen Henderson, Manager of Real Estate Services
“Gwaii Engineering has consistently provided Tsain-Ko Development Corporation with a high level of civil engineering design, planning, and advice on a number of our projects since 2017. Gwaii has also been proactive in developing employment opportunities for members of the shíshálh Nation, and have been excellent ambassadors in representing our interests.”
