Business View Magazine - Feb 2024

physical change; it embodies a profound shift in medical care delivery. AH’s financial obligation is a broader pledge to cultivate hope and deliver encouragement to the families of ill children. Technology integration is vital, with electronic records and modular rooms ensuring relevance for the next 70 years. Seanna Millar, Senior Vice-President of Corporate and Community Par tnerships at SickKids Foundation, praises the generous donor, “We are thrilled to partner with Alair to help us build a new home for SickKids, where the spaces in which our patients receive their care will match the quality of services the hospital provides.” On September 28th, 2023, SickKids unveiled the modern 22-story Patient Support Centre (PSC). Shaped by a workforce of 300 tradespeople during peak construction, a safety-oriented environment led to an impressive track record of 980,000 hours worked with no lost time injury (LTI). The next stage bridges an entire decade, with work occurring between 2025 and 2035, and will replace the Black and Hill Wings with the new Peter Gilgan Family Patient Care Tower. This phase includes renovating and expanding the Burton Wing to house Outpatient Services in the upcoming Ambulatory Care Tower. SUSTAINABILITY AND THE HIGH COST OF INFLATION Like SickKids, custom building is on the verge of a transformative chapter. Traditionally focused on structural safety, building codes are now evolving to integrate efficiency, a reduced carbon footprint, and innovative material use. According to Butler, “We need an extensive project where sustainability is important to all involved parties. The client must have that vision.” The buyer plays a pivotal role in this inspired journey. Butler explains,“We have had clients where we recommend upgrading insulation because of the property’s location, but they do not see the value and prefer spending on visible features. But certain customers commit to minimizing their footprint and achieving net-zero energy efficiency.” This collaboration between the purchaser, architect, trade partners, and specialty engineers reflects a shared environmental pledge. Alair Homes undertake five to seven builds annually, installing mid-grade to higher-end finishes. From infill homes on tight lots to sprawling 100-acre country plots, the properties range from 3,000 to 8,000 square feet. Given its location on the fringe of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), the firm gravitates towards larger rural homes, Despite COVID-19 taking a back seat, inflation and interest rates impact elite builds, with the trade experiencing a 5%-8% increase over three years. Butler reports a 20%-40% cost increase across the board. “I can buy a Canadian-made snowmobile for less money in the U.S. than in Canada.” This affects clients requiring financing and those paying with cash. The construction industry wrestles with Canada’s 705-357-9999 • info@trussellexcavating.ca www.trussellexcavating.com Excavating/Grading • Site Servicing • Demolition Retaining Walls • Tight Quarter Excavation Shoreline/Pond Rehabilitation • Hardscaping The right equipment for ANY JOB! 25 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 11, ISSUE 02 ALAIR HOMES AURORA NEWMARKET