[Moncton] ASEC (Atlantic Science Enterprise Centre) | 6 Storeys | Under Construction

[MonctonRad]

Atlantic Science Enterprise Centre (ASEC)

T&T article regarding the ASEC, based on the public presentation the other evening:
https://tj.news/times-and-transcript/102002155 (paywall)

A few renderings were included in the article:


Panoramic rendering as seen from the NW


Exterior rendering of the northern part of the front of the building (new annex)


Interior atrium featuring the whale skeleton hanging from the rafters

Although listed as a $700M project, the actual building itself will cost $300M (still 2.5x the cost of the Avenir Centre).

Initial site prep starts "before the end of the year" and will focus on realigning roadways around the site. Major construction will begin next year.

Final building design is not expected to be completed until next summer, when final tenders are issued.

Construction will occur in three phases:

- Phase one consists of initial site prep, starting this fall.
- Phase two is the construction of the annex to the north of the current building, and this will start next summer.
- Phase three will be deconstruction of the current Gulf Fisheries Centre, and it's replacement by the remainder of the science complex, and ultimately the restoration of the original historic facade. This will begin in 2027. This phase will continue until completion in 2031.

The building will house 700 employees, and will contain the following federal offices:

- Department of Fisheries and Oceans Gulf Fisheries Centre
- Environment and Climate Change Canada
- Canadian Food Inspection Agency
- National Research Council of Canada
- Canadian Space Agency (virtual partner)

This building represents the largest federal investment in Atlantic Canada since the construction of the Confederation Bridge 25 years ago.

This Youtube video gives an excellent overview of what the completed building will be like.

• Video Link

[MonctonRad]

OK, OK, this project is technically not under construction (yet), but site prep will start in about three weeks time, so cut me a break.........

[MonctonRad]

The 6 storey height of the building might be up for a little debate. The facade of the original Gulf Fisheries Centre is 6 floors, but the main part of the new building in behind appears to only have four oversized floors. The north annex however, when you include the upper level mechanical floor, and the exposed basement level along the north flank of the building gives this part of the building 6 floors.

[HanSoloCup]

You stated that the project is still listed at $700 million but the building itself is listed at $300 million. I remember the $700 million price tag and just read the $300 million building price tag (all incredible numbers) is there a reduction in the overall amount or is the $400 million discrepancy allocated to something else related to the project?

P.S. It's fun to talk about these kind of numbers

[MonctonRad]

I find the discrepancy between the $300M & &700M cost of the project interesting too.

This is a scientific research centre (at least in large part), and, equipment costs and final fit up could be extremely expensive. $400M in equipment still seems like a lot however.

I know that the accounting of equipment purchase price often factors in the costs of lifetime upgrades, as well as service, maintenance and repair contracts, which can effectively double (or more) the expense of the equipment assuming an operating lifetime of 20 years or so. For example, a new mass spectrometer or NMR spectrometer that might cost $3M might go on the ledger for $7.5M. Costs therefore can get inflated quite quickly based on this alone.

In addition, depending on the accounting practices that are employed, it could be fair game to consider new ongoing operating costs in the overall project too (in addition to the capital costs). If for example, a fancy new piece of equipment is purchased, you may need new technicians to operate it (beyond the pre-existing staffing levels) , and then there is also the cost of powering and supplying the equipment, and the ongoing educational expenses for the (new) operators. I have no idea how the accountants are spinning this............

[MonctonRad]

Here is a recent GoC press release regarding the construction of ASEC:

Atlantic Science Enterprise Centre (ASEC), Moncton, New Brunswick.

Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) is proposing to construct an Atlantic Science Enterprise Centre (ASEC) at the site of the existing Gulf Fisheries Center (GFC) in Moncton, New Brunswick. The proposed project is a keystone project in the renewal of federal science infrastructure, under the Laboratories Canada strategy of PSPC, which will create a multi-disciplinary research and science facility and address functional limitations of the existing GFC building and site.

The completed ASEC building will consist of multiple levels, and include laboratory facilities, office space, public areas, an underground parking facility, and shipping and receiving areas. New site landscaping will also be included.

The final ASEC building footprint will comprise an approximate 95% increase over the existing GFC building footprint. The building footprint will be limited to the existing GFC building property. Preliminary site preparation work may also be carried out on adjacent properties not owned by the Government of Canada.

Construction will be conducted in two major phases to allow for continued use of the existing GFC building prior to deconstruction and subsequent full construction of the new ASEC building. Phase 1 of construction will include a new science annex to the north of the existing building. Following this, Phase 2 will include the deconstruction of the existing GFC building and the construction of the remainder of the ASEC facility and site work.

Minor enabling works are expected to begin in November 2022, followed by phased construction and deconstruction activities, culminating in 2031.Construction activities include the following:
- Site preparation (e.g., site work including removal of asphalt/concrete and landscaping materials, earthwork, paving, relocation of utilities, and installation of hoarding fencing and temporary facilities);
- Construction of the ASEC building, in phases, including excavation, installation of building foundations, erection of building structure (including an underground parking structure), installation of exterior and interior finishes, mechanical, electrical systems and all furniture and equipment;
- Deconstruction of the existing GFC building (including disposal of demolition waste), construction of access road(s) / ramp(s) (partially on non-federal property) that will provide access to Vitalité Heath Network's parking lots for Vitalité Health Network staff; and
- Final site work including asphalt paving, landscaping and site clean-up.

No mapped sensitive ecological habitat (e.g. wetlands) exist within the Project footprint or surrounding area. The surrounding lands are comprised of the Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital Centre and associated parking facilities (part of the Vitalité Health Network and/or Government of New Brunswick lands), Université de Moncton, Route 15 Highway, and a residential neighborhood. A strategy has been developed to commemorate the sociocultural significance and memory of the GFC.

[MonctonRad]

I came across another couple of renderings of the ASEC building:

[MonctonRad]

There is now a Pomerleau construction trailer on site, and some fencing. Things appear to be underway.

[MonctonRad]

Work is definitely underway:


Photo found on Retail Talk & Share

[MonctonRad]

I drove into the DFO parking lot the other week to see what was going on here, and there were a number of Pomerleau construction workers roaming around, but it was very difficult to see any visible evidence of demolition and/or construction on site. I presume whatever is going on is all internal at present.

They will have to start construction of the new north wing sometime this year (you would think)........

[BlackYear]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

I drove into the DFO parking lot the other week to see what was going on here, and there were a number of Pomerleau construction workers roaming around, but it was very difficult to see any visible evidence of demolition and/or construction on site. I presume whatever is going on is all internal at present.

They will have to start construction of the new north wing sometime this year (you would think)........

I'm not sure what you're questioning here. Isn't this a government budgeted project? A few construction workers walking around, morning assessing, having lunch at noon, afternoon assessing, then time to go home at 5pm. What seems to be the problem MonctonRad?

[MonctonRad]

Well, the final completion of this project is scheduled for 2031, so you may be onto something BlackYear.

[zostera]

Quick update on this project, it seems that the parking lot on the north side of the building will be closed off in mid-August for installation of the tower crane, though as far as I know they aren't planning to break ground until next spring.

All the DFO fleet vehicles will likely be relocated to somewhere off site in the meantime. Parking in the area is already tight, and about to get much worse...

[MonctonRad]

Interesting. Are you saying they plan on installing the tower crane this fall, or are they just preparing the base for the crane so that it can get installed early next spring?

[zostera]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Interesting. Are you saying they plan on installing the tower crane this fall, or are they just preparing the base for the crane so that it can get installed early next spring?

I'm not entirely sure, but I was told the parking lot will be closed for the winter since it's not safe to park near the crane, implying that it will be erected, but

[MonctonRad]

Construction Begins on the New $700M Atlantic Science Enterprise Centre
https://tj.news/times-and-transcript/102142643 (paywall)



The article states that the tower crane will soon be installed. Actual construction of the new north wing of the facility won't begin until spring on next year.

The ceremonial groundbreaking was today.

The ultimate price tag includes all the scientific research equipment that the centre will be festooned with. $325M in construction contracts have already been issued.

[jnaygull]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Construction Begins on the New $700M Atlantic Science Enterprise Centre
https://tj.news/times-and-transcript/102142643 (paywall)



The article states that the tower crane will soon be installed. Actual construction of the new north wing of the facility won't begin until spring on next year.

The ceremonial groundbreaking was today.

The ultimate price tag includes all the scientific research equipment that the centre will be festooned with. $325M in construction contracts have already been issued.

I don't quite get the purpose of this building now that a vast majority of Federal employees are working from home permanently. When it was announced, it made sense, but times have changed in 2+ years.

With a bunch of vacant commercial space downtown, I feel as though much of that could have been repurposed for this (that completely vacant building beside Avenir Centre comes to mind).

[KnoxfordGuy]

Didn't all federal employees get a back to the office order several months ago?

[jnaygull]

Originally Posted by KnoxfordGuy

Didn't all federal employees get a back to the office order several months ago?

They were, and then they pushed back through their union. Now, through new contracts, they are not mandated to go back.

I am not sure if all departments are like that (ones like DFO and the building in question), but a vast majority of employees who once worked downtown were a part of that, and now, there is a bunch of empty commercial space.

[MonctonianSentinel01]

Doesn't this have to do with research though? There is a ton of lab equipment going in there. Surely that can't be done from home.