Speaking to a full conference hall Steve Cripps, director of Ottawa’s Rail Implementation Office opened TAC’s 24th national conference. He’s responsible for delivering the city’s largest infrastructure project, including tunnel work.
“When I looked at the theme of the conference of Capitalizing on Underground Infrastructure this is probably, for us anyway, the poster child of how underground is going to bring benefit to this city.”
Few in Ottawa would contest that assertion. The line will be North America’s first conversion from bus rapid transit to light rail, and will have the highest opening ridership in North America, he reports. On Sunday delegates had the option of touring the underground work for Ottawa’s Confederation Line light rail project, sponsored by Dragados.
With the two-day conference held just a few streets away from the project, TAC illustrated its commitment “to promote the importance and value of tunnelling and underground space to the built form of our cities.” More than 30 exhibitors attended the show, and delegates from across Canada, and further abroad represented clients, contractors, manufacturers, consultants and designers among others.
Conference chair Derek Zoldy highlighted the number of owners in the room, variously from Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, the Toronto Transit Commission, Metro Vancouver and elsewhere.
It was an ideal platform for the industry to present not only its value, but also, as best put by TAC president, Erik Eberhardt, that Canada has a lot to share. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Eberhardt lead the Annual General Meeting, which he described as a chance to connect with the membership, explaining special projects, membership numbers, finances and the status of the board of directors.
Overall the association’s finances are healthy, and TAC continues to pursue special projects to offer value to its members, including a new coffee table book and making over the TAC web site.
Membership numbers are down by 12 per cent, however at the time of the meeting it was anticipated the conference should increase those numbers. Student membership is up, and exceeds the goal set in 2013 of 50. Membership goals for 2017 are set for 300 individuals, 55 corporate members, 60 student members and 10 retired members. Rates and benefits will stay the same. Two positions on the board of directors expire at the end of 2016: that of Derek Zoldy, secretary, and Nichole Boultbee, young members director. Rick Lovat announced both members agreed to stay on for another term. Though he term was not set to expire, Rick Staples requested to step down from the board following his retirement. After soliciting members, the nomination committee had received good feedback for candidates and made the recommendation for Jean Habimana.
“Jean was clearly the most suitable candidate that was put forward,” Lovat said. “The second we all thought about it, after the fact, it is helpful to have another candidate from Quebec, which is going to see more work coming in the future.”
Habimana agreed to join the board, effective January 1, 2017. Not in attendance at the conference, Staples will be recognized for his commitment to TAC at a future Ontario Chapter meeting. While the balance of east and west is currently 50/50 for the board of directors, Lovat noted in the future it would be beneficial to have more suppliers. Full meeting minutes will be available online at www.tunnelcanada.ca
