Loblaw’s Freeport

Project Overview

In 2008, Loblaw Properties West Inc. expanded their Distribution Facility located in Northeast Calgary’s Freeport area. The project, carried out over three phases, added a total of 266,000 SF to the existing facility. The facility is designed to support various temperature-controlled storage needs and operations.

The facility’s layout includes:

• Dry Storage
• Cold Storage
• Meat & Dairy Storage
• Produce Storage
• Refrigerated Loading Docks
• Battery Charging Room
• Reclaim | Truck Maintenance Building
• Dispatch | Office | Operations Area

Sealand’s Role

This project was completed by Bruce Murchison, who provided General Contractor services under a Design Bid Build – Fixed Price contract. Although Sealand was not directly involved, Bruce’s responsibilities included overseeing the entire construction process, including Civil, Mechanical, Fire Suppression, Refrigeration, and Electrical systems.

Responsibilities included:

• Pre-construction: Cost estimation, scheduling, and procurement.
• Construction: Management, health & safety, quality control, schedule management, and handover.
• Project Closeout: Startup & commissioning, verification, warranty administration, owner training, and delivery of operation and maintenance manuals.

Key Features

Storage and Dock Areas: Designed based on the Owner’s material handling system and layout, with a conventional steel frame wrapped in insulated metal panels and a built-up roof assembly. The building height is approximately 38 feet.

Cold Storage Floor Assembly: Features a wear slab, rigid insulation, HD vapor barrier, and a glycol subfloor heating system encapsulated in a concrete mud slab.

Loading Dock: Includes 56 dock positions equipped with vertical storing levelers, inflatable dock shelters, and vehicle restraints. Structural framing for idle pallet storage was constructed over the dock positions. The Battery Charging area was expanded and renovated. The entire perimeter of the Loading Dock is protected by a 24-inch high concrete reinforced protective curb with a sloped top.

Dispatch, Office, and Operations Area: Commercial-grade design and construction featuring change rooms, washrooms, locker rooms, a lunchroom, driver lounge, training rooms, boardrooms, and general offices.

Challenges and Solutions

Challenges:The primary challenge was coordinating the expansion and renovation of an operational food distribution facility without disrupting ongoing operations. This required careful planning to maintain traffic flow and operating temperatures throughout the construction process.

Additionally, the Owner set an ambitious timeline for the new expansion, which presented an exciting challenge for the project’s schedule.

Solutions: Proactive coordination and communication with the facility’s operations team were essential in managing the logistical challenges of working in an active distribution environment. The project team also employed rigorous schedule control measures to meet the deadlines set by the Owner.

Project Details

Client: Loblaw Properties West Inc.

Location: Northeast Calgary (Freeport Area), Alberta, Canada

Project Type: Design Bid Build – Fixed Price

Building Area: 266,00 SF

Budget: $37 Million

Project Duration: 12 Months

Construction Duration: [Information not provided]

Number of Trades: 30