A public-private partnership with the National Archival Preservation Center in Canada
Key facts
Trade
Trade
- Facility Management & PPP
Mobilized expertise
Mobilized expertise
- P3 Facility Management
Project facts
Project facts
- 33-year contract
- Implantation of BOMA Best Gold
- 1st net-zero carbon preservation center in North America
Introduction
In 2019, a 33-year public-private partnership contract was created between Canadian companies for the design, build, finance, maintenance and operation of the National Archival Preservation Center in Canada.
A new preservation facility was scheduled to be constructed adjacent to the existing Preservation Center (“PC”) in Gatineau, Quebec.
The existing PC was built in 1996 with a total surface area of 26,000 m2 including 48 collection vaults of approximately 350 m2 each. In 2020, EQUANS took charge of managing the existing PC during the construction of the new site. The new preservation center will be located behind the existing center and connected by an enclosed pedestrian corridor with a total surface area of 11,920 m2.
Challenges
The building and maintenance of a project with such extraordinary goals called for a unique and experienced team to take on all challenges. The construction of the new facility is expected to be completed in 2022. Upon completion, the Archival Preservation Center will be the 1st ‘net-zero carbon’ archives preservation facility in North America and the 1st Government of Canada building to be built in accordance with the requirements of Canada’s Greening Government Strategy (“CGGS”). The 2nd site of the Archival Preservation Center in Gatineau, Quebec will be the world’s largest preservation facility equipped with an Automated Storage and Retrieval System (“ASRS”) and LEED® certified Silver.
Solution
Equans provides comprehensive facility management, including energy performance and lifecycle rehabilitation work and will operate and maintain the new system through to 2052, including:
• Interim operation and maintenance services of the existing PC during the construction phase
• Reconfiguration of the storage space vaults at the existing PC
• 30-year operation and maintenance of the existing and newly constructed preservation center
• 30-year maintenance and lifecycle renewal in accordance to CGGS
• Energy management of the facilities with consumption targets
Results
The work of Equans included the successful implementation of BOMA BEST Gold standard and energy management of the facilities with consumption targets. Operation and management of complete soft and hard services for the existing and newly constructued preservation center: maintenance of the ASRS, operation and maintenance of the fire suppression system (hybrid nitrogen-water mixed system), waste management, etc, 24/7 help desk and back-up support.
