BCIT retained Binnie in 2019 to convert Parking Lot O into a riparian area as part of the Master Plan to restore Guichon Creek. The project is valued at $350,000 and is forecasted for completion in the fall of 2021.
This project involves converting an existing gravel parking lot into a riparian habitat for Guichon Creek using recycled fill material that was dug up from another project being conducted by BCIT. The riparian habitat will also serve as a natural pathway for the public to use to traverse the campus.
Binnie’s role as the Project Manager and Owner’s Representative included managing cost, schedule, change, and stakeholders. In addition, Binnie was responsible for procuring the PPA approval and having the Environmental Committee provide their review and approval.
Throughout this project, Binnie overcame many obstacles, with local stakeholders placing constraints on the design. Through open communication and consultation, Binnie produced a design that addressed all concerns. The works commenced during the winter of 2020, which presented the added challenge of preventing turbid water runoff. Binnie addressed this difficulty by requiring daily reporting from the contractor and consultant to review post-rainfall and proactively implement environmental sediment control strategies.
This project was also initiated with the intent of becoming a ‘Living Lab,’ having been initiated through BCIT’s Environmental Resources program. The initiative allowed BCIT faculty and students input into the concept design, and Binnie assisted the Facilities and Campus Development (FCD) project services to develop the detailed design. In the future, the ‘Living Lab’ of Guichon Creek will allow Construction and Environment students to study its biodiversity and its importance in revitalizing the salmon-bearing creek.
