BC Hydro has just announced the three shortlisted bidding teams for the John Hart Generating Station Replacement Project, and now is your opportunity as a business or supplier to meet these teams a year in advance of the project contract award.
An open house event will be held July 25, in Campbell River, and businesses must pre-register online to participate. Registration space is limited.
“The open house is a pivotal event for businesses to profile their capabilities and capacity and maximize the economic opportunities that will flow from this major construction project,” says Colleen Evans, executive director of the Campbell River Chamber of Commerce.
The last 18 months has been a focused effort to work collaboratively with local and Vancouver Island businesses. Now is the opportunity for businesses to get actively involved.
“This is the turning point for this billon-dollar project,” says Greg Baynton, CEO of the Vancouver Island Construction Association. “After years of planning and consultation the project is poised to enter the next phase of the competition and become a reality.”
To register for the open house, visit cr.majorprojects.ca/open-house or go to www.vicabc.ca and fill out an online registration form. Online registration closes July 23 or as soon as all available registration slots are filled. There is registration space for approximately 200 businesses and registration slots will be filled on a first come basis.
Confirmed registrants will receive open house location details including the approximate time of their meeting session with the bidding teams in advance of July 25.
An event information package will also be provided that includes an overview of the John Hart project, event protocols, and tips on the best way for your business to engage these large John Hart bidding firms. The meeting format will allow each business to briefly meet each team as a form of business speed dating.
The coaching kit will be provided to registrants to assist them in maximizing this coveted time to introduce their business. This event is open to all businesses located within or outside Vancouver Island.
“This open house will be a significant event in the unfolding John Hart procurement process,” says Vancouver Island Economic Alliance Director, Rick Roberts. This is just one more example of the continued effective collaboration amongst BC Hydro, Campbell River Chamber of Commerce, Vancouver Island Construction Association and the Vancouver Island Economic Alliance to maximize local opportunities during this significant project. To avoid disappointment, I would encourage all interested businesses to register early.”
“It is great that BC Hydro and our business leaders are working together to prepare for this huge energy infrastructure project within our community,” says City of Campbell River Mayor, Walter Jakeway. “It is understandable that BC Hydro is unable to provide a definite percentage of local employment; but opportunities like July 25 will encourage local businesses and others to get engaged and to explore the options and challenges together.”
Updated information on the John Hart Generating Station Replacement Project and other opportunities related to this major construction project will be promoted through the Campbell River Major Projects site and those of the three leading business organizations, Campbell River Chamber, Vancouver Island Construction Association and Vancouver Island Economic Alliance. Should the July 25 business open house go well and be well received, BC Hydro may consider a future event.
For further information please contact Evans at colleen.evans@campbellriverchamber.ca or call 250-287-4513.