New Addition

Welcome back to another Feature Project! The SWMW Feature Project portfolio is a chance for our team to sound off about projects that we’ve had a hand in over the years – and a great way for us to showcase how we can help future customers!

In this piece, we’ll focus on the Windsor Ford car dealership construction in Grande Prairie. We completed this new addition project a few years ago now, but it’s a source of great pride and inspiration to our team to this day!

Measuring in at a staggering 100,000 sq. ft., the Windsor Ford facility is one of the largest dealerships in North America, and was an exercise for our team in project management, modern design, and architectural skill.

This project is a testament to our ability to work on a project of any scope and size. From towering, magnificent works of architectural design to important agricultural upgrades – the Southwest and Midwest Design & Construction team has the expertise and skill to execute any project successfully!

Project Details

Sector: Commercial
Location: Grande Prairie, Alberta
Timeline: Our scope of work was scheduled to start September of 2016 and to be completed by July 28th of 2017

Our goal was to create a state-of-the-art 57,500 sq. ft. new addition that would serve as a shop large enough to meet the growing demands of the existing Windsor Ford Facility. We supplied and erected the rigid frame building for the 34 bay service bays, as well as the quick lube and prep area.

The thriving community of Grande Prairie is an ideal hub for serving customers from a large radius around the city – so Windsor Ford’s expansion came at just the right time.

Considerations and Challenges

Throughout project progress, our team navigated various factors that influenced the timeline, budget, and overall execution. Let's explore some of the key considerations and challenges encountered:

Weather Delays:

Construction projects are often subject to abrupt weather changes, and this project was no different. Our team had to account for particularly heavy rains that occurred during the construction period. These delays required careful scheduling adjustments and proactive measures to mitigate their impact on the project's timeline.

Regular Meetings for Collaboration

To ensure smooth progress and effective communication, we met with the client and our subcontractors regularly during the project. These meetings addressed any issues or concerns that could potentially impact the project's schedule or budget. By fostering this open communication, we ensured that everyone stayed on the same page.

Sub-Trades and Partnerships

We partnered with our longtime subcontractor partner, Ironsun, to help us with erecting the rigid frame building, which included 34 service bays, a quick lube area, and a prep area.

Sustainability and Environmental Efforts

At Southwest and Midwest Design & Construction, we do our utmost to integrate sustainable practices into our car dealership construction projects. Here are some key noteworthy efforts that we incorporated into our day-to-day operations on this job:

Waste Management and Recycling

To reduce the amount of construction debris sent to landfills, our project team diligently separated construction waste materials. Metal scrap and plastics were carefully segregated and sent to recyclers instead of being sent to landfills.

Energy-Efficient Design

The facility's design incorporated energy-efficient elements aimed at reducing energy consumption. This included the integration of a thermal roof – a ‘cool’ roof designed to reflect sunlight, which helps to lower the overall temperature of the building. This innovative technology can help reduce energy costs and keep staff and customers comfortable!

Key Takeaway

The experienced and professional team at SWMW has the resources to build any project, any size, in any environment! We work with our clients to bring their construction goals to life!

Connect With Southwest And Midwest Design & Construction

Customer satisfaction is our top priority, and we attribute our success to our decades of experience and the importance of continued learning to get the job done right for our clients their way – every time.

Choose us for your next construction project. We’re experienced design-build contractors, with offices in Calgary, Medicine Hat, Lethbridge, and Grande Prairie.

Want to learn more about how we can help with your next design and construction project? Contact the team at SWMW with our convenient online quote request tool. A member of our team will be in touch to discuss project details and next steps.