Latest news with #JyotiGondek
CBC
3 days ago
- Business
- CBC
Review finds no evidence of 'unprofessional conduct' in Calgary water main break
Social Sharing As the one-year anniversary of last June's catastrophic water main break approaches, an independent review of the incident suggests that there was no wrongdoing by the City of Calgary's engineering or geoscience services. The findings of a new report by the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA) suggest that the pre-stressed concrete cylinder pipe (PCCP) failure experienced by the Bearspaw south feeder main is consistent with incidents across North America. "PCCP manufacturing standards were relaxed from the late 1960s to the early 1970s by the American Water Works Association, resulting in a high rate of premature failures, and standards have since been strengthened," reads a release by APEGA. WATCH | Pipe material to blame for rupture: Independent engineering report says city's response to water main rupture met professional standards 1 hour ago Duration 1:43 The report found "no indications of unskilled practice or unprofessional conduct." Had such evidence been found, APEGA would have launched a formal investigation. Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek told CBC News that she's pleased with the findings of the independent review. "I think that's the kind of reassurance that Calgarians are seeking, that this incident was managed in a professional manner," she said. The Bearspaw south feeder main, Calgary's largest water feeder main and the pipe that transfers the majority of the city's treated water, ruptured on June 5, 2024. Since then, the water main has undergone significant repairs, while the incident prompted the City of Calgary to add water distribution infrastructure failure to its list of high-risk emergency scenarios. The independent report's findings are consistent with the results of a review commissioned by the city in 2024. Last year's forensic investigation, led by Associated Engineering, cited microcracking along the protective mortar outer layer of the pipe, high chloride levels in the soil at various locations, and snapped wires following corrosion and hydrogen embrittlement as factors that contributed to the failure of the feeder main, though no singular factor could be identified as the primary cause of the rupture. Rupture was 'hard to predict' Kerry Black, a civil engineering professor at the University of Calgary, said it's important for people to understand that the factors behind the rupture "are hard to predict," even by experts. "They really did have a robust maintenance and prevention plan in place at the time of the rupture," she said. "Certainly we've seen other municipalities looking to the City of Calgary as a model, as an example of how you can do monitoring and prevention well, but that even when you do, things can go wrong." The city is responsible for 16,000 kilometres of waste, storm and drinking water pipes, according to its own figures. "There's a reality that monitoring and maintaining all of those kilometres of pipes is difficult," said Black. While she believes Calgary has "a good plan in place," she said the city could do a better job of communicating its water infrastructure work, and the costs associated with that, to Calgarians. "I know it's something that nobody really wants to hear about, but there's a reality: infrastructure costs money," she said. "For me, [it's] that long-term planning of how are we getting everyday Calgarians to understand how costly it is to provide the infrastructure that we all rely on so much, and are we willing to help shepherd a path forward to acknowledging that?" Gondek said that she and the city's infrastructure services general manager Michael Thompson will present "a detailed summary" next week, highlighting what's been done by the city since last year's incident.
CBC
3 days ago
- Business
- CBC
Mayor Gondek wants 'clear line of sight' on province's role in repaying Calgary for G7
Social Sharing Costs associated with the G7 won't become publicly available until after the leaders' summit, happening in Kananaskis from June 15 to 17, but Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek has concerns around those funds in the meantime. Under the current arrangement with G7 organizers, expenses incurred by the city are set to be reimbursed by the federal Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, also known as Public Safety Canada. According to Gondek, what should be a straightforward process has been complicated by provincial legislation barring municipalities from making any deals directly with the Government of Canada. "What typically happens when you host an event like this that is federally funded is the municipality that's hosting would be made whole, or get reimbursed, by the federal government for any expenses that we incur," said Gondek. "But we have a small problem in that legislation that was passed by the provincial government prohibits us from dealing directly with the federal government." During a G7 presentation to council on Tuesday, the city's chief operating officer Stuart Dalgleish confirmed that the funds will need to flow through the provincial government, and that a deal between the city and the province is in the works. "We've had a conversation with them as early as [Monday] about the importance of this agreement," said Dalgleish, adding the city is monitoring the situation "on a daily basis" as it works to get a deal with the province finalized. The Government of Alberta did not respond to a request for comment ahead of publication. During that presentation, Calgary Police Service lead strategic planner Sheldon Scott said that to his knowledge, the city was directly reimbursed by the federal government when the G8 summit was held in Kananaskis in 2002. Gondek said there "shouldn't be anything preventing us from getting this money," but she is "seeking some confidence that the provincial government has the funds from the federal government and they will be giving them to us." The mayor says she's wary of the reimbursement process potentially being slowed down by the province. "It may be the case that the federal government has offered to put the money forward to pay us back, but it's being held up somewhere in the province," she said. "Administratively, that means we are carrying costs that are not ours, and I don't want any of that to be the situation." "I just want to have a clear line of sight on whether the provincial government is directly liaising with the feds on our behalf, or how this is working, because if we put out cash that we then don't get back, this doesn't work," Gondek said. She added that this situation "will be one of the big tests of that legislation," referring to the province's ban on municipal-federal agreements in Alberta. 'An all-government approach' According to Gondek, "if we don't get that funding quickly, or we don't get it at all, what it means is that your municipal government has paid out money to host an event that is not our event. It is a federal event." The G7 leaders' summit is being led by Global Affairs Canada and the Prime Minister's Office, with the Government of Alberta and City of Calgary among a number of key partners and stakeholders involved. Troy McLeod, the city's G7 corporate director, emphasized that the summit is a collaborative effort involving all levels of government. "The federal government is covering all of our operational costs associated with the summit," he said. "The provincial government is also involved with a number of agencies supporting the event, so it's an all-government approach." Reimbursement for expenses incurred by the city will be covered through the Major International Event Security Cost Framework, a federal program. Eligible expenses will be those that fall under a Calgary Police Service budget approved by Public Safety Canada and endorsed by the RCMP, the summit's lead law enforcement agency. Calgary police will be in charge of local aspects of the G7, including demonstration and protest management in the city, securing the Calgary International Airport and handling events taking place in the city. CPS will also be supporting other law enforcement agencies with motorcades, traffic control, overall site security and more. Their goal is "prioritizing the safety and security of Calgarians" while "minimizing disruptions to daily life throughout the G7 summit.'' McLeod said the city is working with local agencies like Tourism Calgary and the Calgary Downtown Association to show international delegates and journalists the best side of Calgary, including through infrastructure repairs and maintenance in popular areas. "Normally, we do a lot of this right before Stampede," he said. "We're turning the calendar forward and we're doing these repairs early on so the delegates can see our best when they come to the city of Calgary."
CTV News
3 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Engineering review of Calgary's 2024 feeder main break finds no concerns with city practices
Work to repair a major water main in Calgary on Friday, June 7, 2024. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh) An independent review of Calgary's critical feeder main break last year found the city's engineering practices were sound. The Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA) launched a review following the rupture of the Bearspaw South water main in June 2024. The APEGA said the City of Calgary had 'sound engineering oversight and the appropriate risk-based management in place' in relation to the water main. It also found the city was in compliance with engineering bylaws and practice standards. 'No indications of unskilled practice or unprofessional conduct were found during the practice review,' the APEGA said in a Wednesday news release. The association said the failure of the water main, a prestressed concrete cylinder pipe (PCCP), is consistent with other failures of similar pipes around North America. 'At the time of installation, in 1974, the feeder main was reportedly expected to have a 100-year service life,' the AEPGA said. 'However, PCCP manufacturing standards were relaxed from the late 1960s to the early 1970s by the American Water Works Association, resulting in a high rate of premature failures, and standards have since been strengthened.' The report added that preventing a pipe rupture cannot be assured, even with monitoring and predictive technologies in place. Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek thanked the APEGA for their independent review and credited city staff and engineers for their work during the break, in a statement Wednesday. 'The city has already implemented improved monitoring and is focused on proactive maintenance of our most vulnerable infrastructure,' Gondek said. 'But this event is also a clear reminder that sustained investment in our water systems is not optional. It's essential to public safety, economic stability, and Calgary's future growth.' The City of Calgary finalized its own report on the June 5, 2024, water main break in December 2024. The report, prepared by Associated Engineering, said design and operations of the feeder main did not contribute to its failure, but 'several failure mechanisms' and 'soil conditions' did. The city was aiming to release its plan to strengthen Calgary's water infrastructure by the middle of 2025. The mayor said she will be providing a comprehensive update on the city's response, improvements and future infrastructure strategy. The break flooded a section of northwest Calgary, leading to a local state of emergency. Water restrictions were put into effect for all Calgarians, including residents in surrounding communities that relied on water produced at the Bearspaw treatment plant. The restrictions were lifted in the fall and all repairs to the feeder main were wrapped up in late 2024. With files from Michael Franklin and Alesia Fieldberg
Malaysian Reserve
5 days ago
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Lights, camera, VFX, and action! Bow Valley College enters a new era with its Digital Entertainment Nexus Production Hub
CALGARY, AB , May 26, 2025 /CNW/ – Bow Valley College unveiled its new 3,560 square foot (331 square metres) Digital Entertainment Nexus Production Hub at its downtown campus, ushering in exciting new opportunities for creative industry production. Filmmakers and television producers, commercial ventures, athletes, and more can now access the studio equipped with high-level features to create visually stunning effects and elaborate content. 'This Production Hub is a significant investment in the creative and digital industries that will benefit high calibre film and TV productions as well as independent creators. A recent blockbuster production shot just outside our college brought a new level of excitement to our city, and we want to build upon that energy. Our contributions to this ecosystem affirm that Bow Valley College is a catalyst for innovation and growth,' said Dr. Misheck Mwaba, President and CEO of Bow Valley College. Bow Valley College Centre for Entertainment Arts students will also take advantage of the studio, training locally to be on-set and studio ready for production and post-production careers. The Production Hub will generate revenue for the college and help boost a rapidly growing sector. 'The opening of Bow Valley College's Production Hub marks a milestone for Calgary's creative economy. This state-of-the-art facility equips local talent with Hollywood-grade tools and strengthens our city's reputation as a centre of innovation in film, television, gaming, and digital storytelling. By investing in creative industries and next-generation technology, we are driving economic diversification and creating meaningful opportunities for Calgarians to build rewarding careers right here at home,' said Jyoti Gondek, Mayor of Calgary. The Digital Entertainment Nexus, including the Production Hub and Calgary's first Esports Arena and Indie Ignition Business Accelerator, is also supported by the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (OCIF). In 2023, Bow Valley College received a $5.5 million grant from OCIF. 'The launch of Bow Valley College's Production Hub marks another major step forward in building out Calgary's Digital Entertainment Nexus and cementing our position as a global player in the creative economy. With support from the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund, it's unlocking new opportunities for creators, companies, and innovation to thrive right here in Calgary. This is exactly the kind of bold, future-focused investment that fuels economic diversification and reinforces our city as a destination for digital and creative innovation,' said Brad Parry, CEO of the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund and President and CEO of Calgary Economic Development. Production Hub features The soundstage includes a large wrap-around screen – or volume wall – that allows characters to interact with virtual environments. Motion capture (mocap) records movements and applies them to a 3D model. Its availability fulfills a need in the local gaming, animation, film and television industries. Sports teams also use mocap to improve player performance. The addition of this technology is thanks – in part – to an Applied Research Tools and Instruments (ARTI) grant. A post-production/incubation space provides room to develop content, collaborate, and create special effects. The dailies room is decked out with sound and color calibration tools to review and adjust a project as it is being filmed. We are the only studio in Calgary with an immersive audio sound room, and one of just a few in Canada. For more information about Bow Valley College, please visit About Bow Valley College Bow Valley College is Calgary's college with local impact and global reach, serving more than 15,000 students. We launch our students by preparing them for in-demand jobs through high-quality, future-oriented education. We advance our graduates into careers in healthcare, technology, business, entertainment arts, social services, and more, contributing to our economy and community. We evolve our students through work-integrated learning, upskilling, and reskilling. Proud to be named one of Canada's Top 50 research colleges, our applied research focuses on health and educational technology, and social innovation. Home to the Digital Entertainment Nexus, Calgary's first esports arena, and the Bears varsity team, Bow Valley College is celebrating 60 years of student success. Learn more about the opportunities we create at
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Lights, camera, VFX, and action! Bow Valley College enters a new era with its Digital Entertainment Nexus Production Hub
CALGARY, AB , May 26, 2025 /CNW/ - Bow Valley College unveiled its new 3,560 square foot (331 square metres) Digital Entertainment Nexus Production Hub at its downtown campus, ushering in exciting new opportunities for creative industry production. Filmmakers and television producers, commercial ventures, athletes, and more can now access the studio equipped with high-level features to create visually stunning effects and elaborate content. "This Production Hub is a significant investment in the creative and digital industries that will benefit high calibre film and TV productions as well as independent creators. A recent blockbuster production shot just outside our college brought a new level of excitement to our city, and we want to build upon that energy. Our contributions to this ecosystem affirm that Bow Valley College is a catalyst for innovation and growth," said Dr. Misheck Mwaba, President and CEO of Bow Valley College. Bow Valley College Centre for Entertainment Arts students will also take advantage of the studio, training locally to be on-set and studio ready for production and post-production careers. The Production Hub will generate revenue for the college and help boost a rapidly growing sector. "The opening of Bow Valley College's Production Hub marks a milestone for Calgary's creative economy. This state-of-the-art facility equips local talent with Hollywood-grade tools and strengthens our city's reputation as a centre of innovation in film, television, gaming, and digital storytelling. By investing in creative industries and next-generation technology, we are driving economic diversification and creating meaningful opportunities for Calgarians to build rewarding careers right here at home," said Jyoti Gondek, Mayor of Calgary. The Digital Entertainment Nexus, including the Production Hub and Calgary's first Esports Arena and Indie Ignition Business Accelerator, is also supported by the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (OCIF). In 2023, Bow Valley College received a $5.5 million grant from OCIF. "The launch of Bow Valley College's Production Hub marks another major step forward in building out Calgary's Digital Entertainment Nexus and cementing our position as a global player in the creative economy. With support from the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund, it's unlocking new opportunities for creators, companies, and innovation to thrive right here in Calgary. This is exactly the kind of bold, future-focused investment that fuels economic diversification and reinforces our city as a destination for digital and creative innovation," said Brad Parry, CEO of the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund and President and CEO of Calgary Economic Development. Production Hub features The soundstage includes a large wrap-around screen – or volume wall – that allows characters to interact with virtual environments. Motion capture (mocap) records movements and applies them to a 3D model. Its availability fulfills a need in the local gaming, animation, film and television industries. Sports teams also use mocap to improve player performance. The addition of this technology is thanks – in part – to an Applied Research Tools and Instruments (ARTI) grant. A post-production/incubation space provides room to develop content, collaborate, and create special effects. The dailies room is decked out with sound and color calibration tools to review and adjust a project as it is being filmed. We are the only studio in Calgary with an immersive audio sound room, and one of just a few in Canada. For more information about Bow Valley College, please visit About Bow Valley College Bow Valley College is Calgary's college with local impact and global reach, serving more than 15,000 students. We launch our students by preparing them for in-demand jobs through high-quality, future-oriented education. We advance our graduates into careers in healthcare, technology, business, entertainment arts, social services, and more, contributing to our economy and community. We evolve our students through work-integrated learning, upskilling, and reskilling. Proud to be named one of Canada's Top 50 research colleges, our applied research focuses on health and educational technology, and social innovation. Home to the Digital Entertainment Nexus, Calgary's first esports arena, and the Bears varsity team, Bow Valley College is celebrating 60 years of student success. Learn more about the opportunities we create at SOURCE Bow Valley College View original content to download multimedia:
