March 23, 2012
ARCHITECTS TILLMANN RUTH ROBINSON
Carpenters Local 1946 new 25,000-square-foot training centre
Work begins on London, Ontario Carpenters’ union training centre
Work is underway on a new 25,000-square-foot training centre for the United Brotherhood of Carpenters Local 1946 in London, Ontario.
The $8 million centre will also serve as the administration offices for the local, says Kevin Hoy, Union Coordinator and Local president.
“It will be about 25,000 square feet, 10 times bigger than the centre we have now,” said Hoy of the building which is located on Highbury Ave near Highway 401.
It will have dedicated areas for all three union-incorporated trades, carpentry, drywall and flooring as well as workshop areas.
“We’ll have training in everything from forms and trim, to drywalling techniques to carpet, tiles and so on,” he said.
With the new space, he hopes to boost the amount of trainees able to go through the centre from 400 to 500 to close to a 1,000 a year.
“We’re also working with local schools to provide safety training for their shop programs,” said Hoy.
The Local has long had a relationship with the schools and he hopes to invigorate that connect with the benefits of the new facility.
The centre is slated to be open in December, he said, lighting speed considering they only broke ground officially Feb. 29.
Architect McMichael Ruth of architects Tillmann Ruth Robinson said the Local did not cut corners in commissioning the design which takes it well beyond the standard slab and steel siding facility.
“The atrium is two storeys with a staircase and a glass curtain wall right at the front where you walk in,” he said. “Also, there are glue-laminate exposed beams with wood siding where there is not glass.”
There is also a green roof, with a vegetative area and a light reflecting membrane expanse.
“It’s quite state of the art,” he said.