The True North Entertainment Centre construction project is approaching the end of its third month of full-scale site activity. The first phase of the work is proceeding according to the planned budget and on schedule.
The majority of the current activity continues to be foundation work. More than 190 of the 221 caissons that will support the foundation have now been drilled and poured. A large number of the driven pre-cast concrete piles have been set into the ground with the piles under the ice floor to be hammered into place next week. All 498 of the caissons and piles will be in place by mid June.
Sections of the concrete walls for the permanent foundation have been poured along Graham Avenue and Donald Street. A number of the columns that will support the main concourse floor and the stadia at the south end of structure have been poured and stand in place up to the ground level. The foundation walls will be completed by the first week of August.
The excavation for the 300-foot long ramp or tunnel that will start on Carlton Street and slope down under Hargrave Street to the event floor is complete. The pre-cast piles have been placed and the concrete floor will be poured early in June. When complete by mid June, the permanent ramp/tunnel starting on Carlton Street will become the main entry and exit point to the site.
Two more construction cranes (bringing the total number of cranes on the project to four) will be erected the week of June 2nd.
The next phase of construction, which will see the concrete structure of the stadia rise above ground level, will begin in September of this year. The structural steel skeleton of the building will be erected starting in January 2004.
[MTS Centre Construction Archive]
