Borden Park Pavilion

Named after Canada’s eighth prime minister—Sir Robert Borden—Borden Park in the early 1900s was Edmonton’s playground, complete with merry-go-round, a giant wood rollercoaster, a zoo, cricket pitches, baseball diamonds, a tearoom, fountains, a band shell and, of course, a hockey rink.

The City was looking to honor the park’s history and glory; this was accomplished by constructing a drum-like structure to evoke amusement park images of carousels and ferris wheels. During the day, the Borden Park Pavilion blends so well into the scenery it almost disappears into the scenery while in the evening, it lights up, resembling a cross between a toy drum and a lantern. Floor-to-ceiling glazing allows captivating views into, through and out from the pavilion, reflecting the surrounding park and seasons in striking triangular facets.

This award-winning structure is designed for openness and flexibility. The enclosed portions of the pavilion, such as the staff program rooms, mechanical room, janitorial room and washrooms are organized in a central core. Tables and stools are embedded into the concrete floor and window benches are built into the base of the framework providing additional seating. The use of glass, wood and concrete for the pavilion were selected for their sustainability, durability, permanence and timelessness.

Awards:
• 2015 City of Edmonton Urban Design Award
• 2016 Prairie Design Award
• 2016 Prairie Wood Design Award of Excellence
• 2018 Governor General’s Medal in Architecture

And if these awards aren’t enough… the Borden Park Pavilion’s claimed the title for Canada’s Best Restroom in 2021! What made it the best in Canada? Learn more about it here.

Fox Lake Elementary School

Fox Lake Elementary School (formerly Jean Baptiste Sewepagaham School), a 4,866m² elementary school located in one of Canada’s most remote communities south of the 60th parallel, is only accessible by air, over a 1.1 km-long ice bridge in the winter and by a small barge in the summer. In fact, at the project’s inception 1,200+ trailer loads of materials and equipment were shipped across the ice bridge to allow for construction to seamlessly move forward in the summer season. At the time, this project was the largest and highest risk in Canada’s Economic Action Plan (CEAP) and the isolation constraints, complexity of design and CEAP deadline of March 31, 2011 made this an extremely interesting project.

JEN COL’s strong partnership with the Little Red River Cree Nation fostered collaboration on the extensive civil scope, camp facilities, apprenticeship and training of local members and use of local equipment, making this a true “Community’s School.” This relationship and understanding between owner and construction manager allowed the project to finish on time and on budget even with some unique circumstances and constraints.

This project had the attention of the Federal Directors and Ministers for Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (now Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada). On their site tour, the overwhelming response was, “an amazing facility and unbelievable it was completed on time, considering the logistics.”

Project Awards:
2015 Alberta Masonry Award for Structural Masonry Design

Glenmary School

Glenmary School in Peace River, Alberta was originally built in 1964 with four classrooms and a small gymnasium. Sister Gillespie, a teacher at the school came up with the name Glenmary, “Glen” came from the area of town called Glenview and “Mary” was carefully selected as a devotion to Mary Mother of God. Over the years, additions to the school were built in 1966, 1970, 1980 and 1988.
In 2016, JEN COL Construction was awarded the contract to complete a 5,924 m2 modernization and 437 m2 addition. This included construction of a new Career and Technology Studies (CTS) lab with large overhead doors, a new space for the school’s art program, a series of new science labs and a two-storey aesthetics salon (named the EvelineCharles Peace River Academy). Renovations were also made to classrooms, the library, drama room, music room, staff room, meeting spaces, administration area and washrooms. This project was completed while the school remained occupied by staff and students and was organized into phases to allow the school to remain open and fully operational.
JEN COL was also contracted to install new seating in the theatre as part of a separate contract and returned in 2019 to install solar panels on the school to harness the sun’s power by converting it into 120-volt power to be used as needed to reduce their carbon footprint.

Fire Rescue Services Norwood Station No. 5

The original Norwood fire hall in north Edmonton began operations in 1911. Ninety-nine years later – and just a few blocks away – the new Fire Rescue Services Norwood Station No. 5 opened its doors to serve the community.

Construction of the two-bay fire station began in 2009 using a traditional design with exposed glulam trusses and wood decking as part of the architectural feature for the apparatus bay ceiling along with a ground concrete floor finish throughout the facility. The station consists of large equipment and apparatus bay, communal kitchen, recreation and exercise rooms, shower facilities and private dorm rooms.

With an eye on environmental sustainability, high performance mechanical and electrical systems and building envelope design combined with environmentally friendly, durable and locally manufactured materials were used. A rainwater recovery system was also designed to recover rainwater from the building’s rooftop to be stored in a large underground cistern. Through effective construction waste management, 94% of the project’s waste was diverted from landfills. This project became LEED Certified by CaGBC in 2015.

The site is in a mature neighborhood and maintaining a good relationship with the community and protecting mature trees was paramount. As part of a Municipal Improvement Agreement and in conjunction with the City of Edmonton, the roads and sidewalks in the adjoining neighborhoods were also reconstructed.

Chateh Community School

Located in the small northern community of Chateh, Alberta (also known as Assumption, AB), the Chateh K-12 Community School was constructed to serve as both a learning and community cultural gathering place.

Understanding the importance of this new hub to the Dene Tha’ First Nation, JEN COL consulted regularly with the local community to ensure every culturally significant detail was constructed with precision. JEN COL also made a commitment to the community by hiring and training as many local workers as possible. The school’s concept evolved from a study of culturally significant aspects of the Dene Tha’ First Nation. Traditional “hut” type/radial habitation patterns and studies of cultural symbolism were combined to suggest a balanced development of existence, cultural definition and spirituality.

In addition to the academic spaces, the school features a new cultural centre, health centre, cafeteria, gymnasium, student gathering area and library which are accessible for public use. This creative and intricate building boasts 20-metre high columns, unique Kalwall day-lighting panels, curved sloping roofs with skylights and imported wood roof decking. JEN COL was successful in delivering this project ahead of schedule and on budget. This project emphasizes JEN COL’s commitment to ensuring First Nations history, traditions and culture are respected and honored for projects we undertake on First Nations land. It demonstrates our focus on strong and lasting relationships within First Nations communities and our ability to seek opportunities within projects to highlight and acknowledge First Nations culture and traditions.

Project Awards:

• 2006 Best New School Facility, Council of Educational Facility Planners International, Alberta and International Chapters
• 2002 Alberta’s Top Projects, Alberta Construction Magazine

Slave Lake Multi-Rec Centre

Built in the 1970’s, the Slave Lake Multi-Rec Centre (formally Arctic Ice Recreation Centre) has been a vital part of the Slave Lake, Alberta community. To meet the needs of modern times and provide more space, JEN COL completed a major redesign and reconstruction.  The project involved modernizing the facility’s two existing ice arenas and adding a new 1,178m² lobby, indoor soccer field, gymnasium field house with an upper running track, new dressing rooms, Zamboni room, front lobby and other amenities.

The new indoor soccer field, gymnasium field house and expanded lobby with a concession stand, multipurpose room and indoor children’s play area have opened up new opportunities for sports, fitness and socialization. The modernization also included new exterior cladding, roofing, mechanical and electrical systems, and significant alterations to dressing rooms, cooling tower and seating.

The project was completed in three phases to avoid disrupting regular activities during the winter months. The modernization project greatly enhanced the Slave Lake Multi-Rec Centre’s capacity to meet the needs of the Slave Lake community. Today, the centre serves as a vibrant community hub, providing a home for numerous sports teams and activities.

Clairmont Fire Station No. 14

In 2008, JEN COL Construction was contracted to build the first Fire Rescue Services facility in the Hamlet of Clairmont. Previously, emergency response services were utilized from the City of Grande Prairie.

This single-storey concrete and steel building includes three drive-through apparatus bays to house six fire fighting vehicles, eight overnight dorm rooms, living quarters, full kitchen facilities, meeting rooms, fitness area and locker rooms. The facility is also home to Protective and Agricultural Services administration offices.

Key features include a vehicle exhaust rail system, a 54,000 litre stormwater retention tank for cleaning vehicles and equipment, in-slab heating at the entrance and exit of vehicle bays to prevent freezing and radiant panels for heating of living quarters and other common areas.

Caernarvon Elementary School

North Edmonton’s Caernarvon Elementary School was built in 1975. The original school was 2,272 m2 and was expanded by 862 m2 in 1976 and again in 1992 by 638 m2 accommodating approximately 500 students.
The addition and modernization project consisted of the demolition of the 1976 expansion area; construction of a 925 m2 addition to the existing building which included five classrooms, student flex space and a music room; four new modular classrooms; and a new student drop-off loop.

The existing building required a complete overhaul of its mechanical and electrical systems, reconfiguration of the school’s main office including the Principal and Vice-Principal offices, constructing new meeting rooms, staff workroom and washroom spaces, new front entrance and total cosmetic modernization of the school’s remaining spaces. The cosmetic modernization included the introduction of new millwork, paint, ceiling, flooring, tack board, whiteboard, and washroom materials.

The gymnasium was fitted with new paint, acoustic panels, and basketball backstop amenities along with refinishing of existing hardwood floors. Finally, new exterior siding materials were introduced to produce a unified exterior appearance.

Construction began in April 2017 with substantial completion in November 2018. Work was completed in phases while the school remained occupied and fully operational for staff and students.

Stadium Manor

Capital Region Housing Corporation (CRHC) is the largest provider of social and affordable housing in the Edmonton area managing over 4,500 social housing rental units and over 600 near market housing rental units. In 2012, CRHC selected JEN COL Construction to build a four-storey housing and retail development located along Norwood Blvd. in Edmonton’s McCauley neighborhood – right next to Commonwealth Stadium – aptly named Stadium Manor.

Norwood Blvd. (111 and 112 Avenues) resides along one of Edmonton’s oldest commercial strips and is part of the City of Edmonton’s Main Streets Overlay project which supports high-quality, pedestrian-oriented development. Stadium Manor’s ground-floor commercial space is positioned right up to the north property line to contribute to the pedestrian-oriented character of this area. The exterior finish on the commercial ground level includes a traditional red brick veneer, maintaining the character of the neighborhood’s existing buildings, including Fire Rescue Services Norwood Station No. 5 located across the street (a JEN COL project completed in 2010).

Above the commercial retail level are three floors of residential apartments – a total of 23 one-bedroom suites, including barrier-free units. The exterior finishes of the residential levels are a combination of cementitious siding, prefinished metal siding and red brick veneer to match the commercial space. The top floor includes a south facing patio with small garden planters to be used by the residents.

École Montrose Junior High School

Montrose Junior High School was built in 1960, tucked in front of the original Montrose School on land donated to the Grande Prairie School District by Rev. & Mrs. Alexander Forbes. The junior high school operated in this location until 1992, when a replacement Montrose Junior High School was built in the Country Club area in south Grande Prairie.

JEN COL Construction was awarded the contract to completely modernize the existing building and construct an addition with four classrooms and a corridor on the south side of the school. Modernization included new millwork, lighting, flooring, painting, a new fire alarm system and a complete overall of the mechanical systems.