b'TOPPING OFF WAWANESAS NEW NORTH AMERICAN HEADQUARTERSPCL and partners celebrate project milestone By Matthew BradfordPCL Construction has capped a major milestone on Wawanesa Tower. On October 7, 2022, PCLs team was joined by partners Architecture49, True North Real Estate Development and Wawanesa Insuranceto celebrate topping off the Wawanesa NorthAmerican Headquarters.The Wawanesa North American Headquarters has quickly become one of Winnipegs iconic downtown skyscrapers, redefining Winnipegs skyline, says Kelly Wallace, Vice President & District Manager of PCL. Projects like this are so special to be a part of, and even more so when you have a dedicated team like this one working collaboratively towards the same end goal. It has been truly remarkable to watch this tower go up and watch all members of this project team thrive.The sky-high achievement comes just 21 months after the project broke ground in January 2021. By all definitions, it was no small task.[Reaching this point] has required everyone to be at the top of their game, says David Van Hooren, Senior Construction Manager with PCL, who has taken a lead on the project since preconstruction and design began in spring 2019.Its also required teams to navigate on-site challenges, not least of which has been uncharacteristicweather conditions.By far, the biggest challenge has been this years weather, notes Van Hooren. January and February were abnormally adverse, to say the least, and April and May were met with a series of Colorado lows that dumped significant snow and rain on the city.Keeping numbers up at the site also proved difficult, given the persistent shortage of skilled labourers and carpenters in Manitoba. Nevertheless, says Van Hooren, The team [members] we have here are truly experts in their field. We utilized innovative and effective forming systems that allowed us to meet a very tight timeline, and the project has been an opportunity to develop field leaders who will add even more value to the industry going forward.Photos courtesy of PCL Construction.Issue 4 | Winter Edition | 2022 BUILD MANITOBA 45'