The Archibald Biodiversity Centre is a dedicated conservation breeding facility in Canada which provides a temporary home for animals that will be released to the wild.

Away from the pressures of urban development, the facility is situated on 333 acres of farmland east of Calgary, Alberta.

The one-of-a-kind facility is used to boost populations of species-at-risk like burrowing owls, whooping cranes, greater sage-grouse, northern leopard frogs and Vancouver Island marmots through conservation breeding. Due to the fragility of the animals, unique design criteria were required for each species. PCL took the time to participate in several design consultations during preconstruction to ensure safe habitats were built to fit the diverse needs of wildlife.

Budget management was also a crucial part of preconstruction. Since the project is 100 per cent donor-funded, an extensive value engineering program was necessary. Through consistent consultation with the client, PCL could adhere to the strict fiscal parameters, including revising the building’s design and evaluating many construction types while expertly delivering on an ambitious construction project.

PCL’s success during Phase 1A has led to the added construction of Phase 1B for the Centre’s whooping crane and leopard frog habitats.