November 26, 2003 - By the middle of December, more than 84 million pounds of concrete will have been formed and poured in place to shape the emerging superstructure of the MTS Centre on Portage Avenue. The completion of this concrete work, being handled by PCL Constructors Canada Inc, brings a very significant phase of the project to a successful conclusion.

The upper concourse floor slab of the third and highest concourse in the building is now two-thirds poured with the remainder of the upper level scheduled to be finished over the next week. The upper concourse seating rakers are also being poured in place as the slab is completed. This will leave just the "ring beam" that encircles the perimeter of the building above the upper concourse and the capping of the columns at the height of the roof structure to complete the poured in place concrete phase of the project.

Meanwhile, down at the event level, twenty feet below grade, masonry and the steel studs for walls are being erected further defining the spaces that will be the home team and visitors locker rooms, star performer dressing rooms, commissaries and kitchens and the dining level of the club seat holders lounge. The lower event level is now completely closed in with tarps and is being heated to provide a barrier against the elements for a number of trades who are building out the rooms and installing electrical, mechanical and plumbing systems. Work is also progressing on the main concourse and the private suite level concourse following the same pattern of construction activity that has been taking place at the event level.

With the concrete phase almost complete, steel will emerge as the most visible focus of construction activity. Steel columns and steel roof trusses are now starting to appear at the site for assembly. The first 282 foot long roof truss will arrive at the site in sections by the middle of December and be assembled on the ground before it is craned into place. Smaller sections of steel column will frame in the glass lobbies that rise up from street level on each of the four sides of the facility. The first of these steel frames already stands in place at the corner of Donald and Graham providing passers-by with a more finished idea of how the entertainment centre will look on this corner when the building opens almost one year from today.

For more information contact:
Jim Millican
Vice President Marketing and Communications
True North Sports and Entertainment Ltd
(204) 989 - 6813, cell 792 - 4145

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