Peter Sutherland Sr. Generating Station

Ontario Power Generation and Coral Rapids Power Corporation (a company wholly owned by Taykwa Tagamou Nation) are equity partners in the Peter Sutherland Sr. Generating Station. Named after a respected community elder, the 28 MW hydroelectric power station is remotely located at the confluence of the Abitibi River and New Post Creek within the Taykwa Tagamou Nation traditional territory of northeastern Ontario. A portion of the flows from New Post Creek have been harnessed to provide clean, renewable hydroelectric energy.

KGS Group worked closely with Ontario Power Generation and Coral Rapids Power through the conceptual and preliminary design stages, ultimately acting as the owner’s representative through the design-build construction phase that was performed by Kiewit and Aecon. KGS Group staff were onsite throughout construction assisting and collaborating with the owners and contractor team.

Construction was completed safely, on budget, and ahead of schedule. The project is not only an investment into Ontario’s clean energy future; it is a symbol of reconciliation and the culmination of a strong partnership between Taykwa Tagamou Nation and Ontario Power Generation that will benefit the community for generations.

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Hydropower and Dams

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Project Highlights

  • Powerhouse construction with two horizontal‑axis Francis turbines with a total plant capacity 28 MW
  • Gated intake structure and approach channel with controlled conveyance from New Post Creek
  • 4 m diameter steel penstock 250 m long
  • 520 m long embankment dam with a cement-bentonite core
  • Two-bay gated spillway

HyLife Pork Processing Plant

KGS Group worked with HyLife Foods to engineer a new 98,500 square foot pork processing facility that would elevate employee welfare, bring food safety practices in line with global standards, increase efficiency and maximize return on investment – while keeping existing production running.

The cornerstone of a $125 million investment, the new plant includes a modern cut floor, advanced packaging area, high‑capacity storage coolers, palletizing and shipping zones and upgraded utility spaces. KGS provided conceptual design, cost estimate and value engineering services to support project funding. Detailed design of the facility to global meat industry standards was also provided by KGS Group, as well as the design of building utility service upgrades, integration of vendor equipment, procurement management and construction engineering support for this fast-track project.

By combining state‑of‑the‑art technology with tailored engineering solutions, the project reduced waste, enhanced employee welfare and increased production capacity. It has helped HyLife transform its investment into a global competitive advantage while generating 165 permanent jobs for the local community. Delivered through a fully multidisciplinary approach, the project was completed on time and on budget.

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Industrial

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Project Highlights

  • Improved plant efficiency – increased throughput of 1250 hogs/day (to 7,500 hogs/day)
  • Integration of cutting-edge processing equipment reducing repetitive strain and increasing yield per carcass
  • Over 1.1 kilometres of conveyance equipment providing efficient and linear material handling
  • Local job creation for construction trades – 90% Manitoba sourced with 45% from the local Westman region

Cockburn and Calrossie Sewer Relief Works

KGS Group partnered with the City of Winnipeg to study, design and implement district‑wide drainage improvements in neighbourhoods prone to annual flooding. This project was a complex, large-scale undertaking in a densely urbanized center that includes major businesses, residential homes, regional streets, and the primary rail line that bisects the City. KGS led a large team to take the project from initial concepts to practical implementation.

We developed a regional hydraulic/hydrologic model of three adjacent drainage areas and created an evaluation criterion to objectively select the drainage improvement option that considered stakeholder needs, constructability issues, future City projects and cost.

Due to the potential public impact of this project, public engagement was paramount. A public engagement strategy was developed and open houses were organized to gather public input. Once the preferred option was selected, KGS oversaw the construction of the drainage improvements. Tunneling and trenchless technologies were used to limit disruption within this dense urban community.

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Infrastructure and Water Management

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Project Highlights

  • Development of a regional hydraulic/hydrologic model for three drainage areas
  • Alternatives evaluation using stakeholder needs, constructability, future projects and costs
  • First large diameter micro-tunnelling project in Manitoba (2,700 mm dia. tunnel)
  • Tunneling and trenchless installations under regional streets and the primary rail line to minimize disruption
  • Preparation of Geotechnical Baseline Report, a first-time application in Manitoba
  • Risk sharing construction contract strategies to reduce capital costs
  • Redevelopment of a historic rail yard into a storm retention basin and new public park space

Taché Arts Complex Desautels Concert Hall Addition

The Desautels Concert Hall is the newest addition to the University of Manitoba’s Taché Arts Complex. It serves as a cutting-edge rehearsal and performance space for students of the Desautels Faculty of Music to showcase their progress and talents and as a hub for performing arts groups in Winnipeg.

This 407-seat, 1,332 m² facility hosts diverse events, from solo acoustic performers to operas complete with an orchestra pit. Exceptional acoustics, achieved through meticulous engineering, allow performances to resonate across four audience levels. Careful integration of building systems preserves the hall’s beautiful aesthetics and reduces noise from outside and within the facility.

Designed for energy efficiency and targeting LEED Silver certification, this world-class hall provides a rich acoustic experience and flexible space, supporting student and community talent for generations.

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Buildings and Spaces

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Project Highlights

  • The 1,332 m² facility hosts 407 seats, four audience levels and an orchestra pit for rehearsal and performance uses
  • Meticulous acoustic engineering, discreet system integration to reduce internal/external noise, flexible staging and audience layouts
  • Enhanced audience experience, energy‑efficient operations and LEED Silver certification

Wellington Crescent Riverbank, Roadway and Multi-Use Path

Following bank failures along the Assiniboine River adjacent to Wellington Crescent, the City of Winnipeg engaged KGS Group to explore and recommend renewal strategies to retain or replace critical riverfront infrastructure. The goal was to remediate at-risk sections, protect community assets and enhance a well-used corridor that connects downtown to Assiniboine Park.

Wellington Crescent is a vital corridor used by pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles and required careful consideration for long-term management. It also is an important naturalized area with a robust riparian ecosystem. Other considerations included protecting several underground utility assets, diverse critical infrastructure and the urban location.

Working from concept through design, tender and contract administration, we delivered a comprehensive design that weighed competing priorities and met ecological, social and economic objectives. This included erosion protection and riverbank stabilization, tree protection measures, active transportation development, realignment of Wellington Crescent and land drainage upgrades.

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Transportation

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Project Highlights

  • Riprap erosion protection and rockfill shear key slope stabilization along the riverbank
  • Heritage tree protection measures and gabion retaining wall improvements
  • Construction of river access trail, wilderness trail and paved multi‑use path
  • Raised and reconfigured roadway intersections to improve safety and drainage
  • Geometric realignment and widening of Wellington Crescent
  • Tension crack sealing to stabilize roadway and adjacent slopes
  • Land drainage and sewer upgrades to enhance corridor resilience

Little Long Dam Safety Project

The Little Long Dam Safety Project was a significant initiative by Ontario Power Generation (OPG) to rehabilitate and enhance the spill capacity at the Adam Creek Sluiceway to meet new dam safety standards. The project increased overall discharge capacity of the Little Long headpond by 40%, significantly increasing the ability to manage large floods at this site.

There were four main components to the project:

  1. The addition of four new concrete sluiceway bays to the pre-existing eight bay structure, providing the additional discharge capacity
  2. The replacement of 10 existing sluice gates, gate hoist systems and superstructures to improve operational safety and reliability
  3. The installation of an upstream splash wall to protect against wave and debris overtopping
  4. Post-tensioned anchoring of the existing structures to address stability deficiencies

KGS Group was initially retained by OPG to carry out the concept design for the project, as well as undertake pre-construction geotechnical investigations. The final design and construction phase was executed by OPG under a design-build arrangement with Kiewit as the EPC contractor, where KGS Group’s role transitioned to owner’s engineer. In this role, KGS Group acted as an extension of OPG’s team, contributing to overall project management, contract administration, advisory and technical support. Our responsibilities included review of the contractor and designer’s work for compliance with good practice and the performance specification requirements, carrying out quality assurance and formal quality audits and providing resident engineering services to participate in overall coordination, monitoring, commissioning and turnover.

With careful planning, Little Long GS facilities remained in operation during the project’s four-year lifecycle. Due to the remote site location, the project required setting up a full-service camp to support over 200 workers, complete with all necessary facilities.

Throughout the project, it was a priority to have local Indigenous community members and women contribute to project execution. This helped to build strong relationships with the community and ensure the project and result would benefit all involved.

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Hydropower and Dams

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Project Highlights

  • Construction of four new concrete sluiceway bays to increase overall discharge capacity of the Little Long headpond by 40%, from 6,090 CMS to 8,650 CMS
  • Replacement of 10 sluice gates, the gate hoist systems and superstructures, which improved operational safety and reliability
  • Installation of upstream splash wall which provides protection against wave and debris overtopping to improve emergency access during large wind and wave events
  • Continuous plant operation maintained during staged construction over four years
  • 20% of hours were worked by local Indigenous community members and 25% of hours were worked by women
  • 11% of construction contract value provided by First Nation subcontracts
  • Over 2.1 million person‑hours worked
  • Enhanced spillway capacity and dam safety compliance, improved operational reliability and increased generation

Cote First Nation Fence Post Treatment Site Remediation

Cote First Nation is located north of Kamsack, Saskatchewan, and within the Reserve boundaries was a former fence post treatment facility that operated for approximately 10 seasons before closing in the late 1980s. The facility used chemicals to preserve the wood that can have adverse effects on humans, animals and the environment in certain concentrations. The site of the former facility is located within Badgerville near residences and gathering places, posing a concern for the Cote First Nation Council and its members.

Over several years, KGS Group conducted environmental assessments and oversaw the remediation of the former facility site. For the first time in approximately 45 years, the contaminated soils associated with the facility, were fully remediated.

Notably, as part of the project, an impressive 9,000 person-hours of work were completed by personnel from the Cote First Nation. The total value of purchased local borrow materials, worker wages and equipment rentals supplied by the First Nation was approximately $843,000. Executed in the spirit of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action, the project presented on-the-job training and mentorship opportunities for the Cote First Nation. Overall, the project was a collaborative process that was mutually beneficial to all parties and was largely successful because of the local Nation’s involvement.

With the site of the former facility now safely remediated, the Cote First Nation can begin planning for future development in the area. What was once a potential hazard, is now a place of great possibility.

Expertise

Earth and Environment

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Project Highlights

  • Environmental assessments over multiple seasons to delineate impacts and guide remediation
  • Remediation of contaminated soils within the former facility footprint
  • Tissue sampling on vegetation within the impacted area to confirm no uptake by trees
  • Supply and placement of local borrow materials for backfill and site restoration
  • Site regrading and cleanup to stabilize surfaces and improve near‑term usability
  • Community engagement, on‑site training and mentorship delivered by KGS Group
  • More than 9,000 hours completed by Cote First Nation personnel
  • $843,000 in materials, wages and equipment rentals from within Cote First Nation

Mayo B Hydro Enhancement Project

KGS Group was retained by the Yukon Energy Corporation to review feasible hydro projects in the territory, which culminated in the selection of the Mayo B project. To develop the $120 million Mayo B, KGS entered into an early contractor involvement alliance partnership, sharing the financial risks and project rewards. This partnership was the first of its kind in the Canadian hydroelectric industry.

We conducted a feasibility study as well as completed the preliminary and final design of a new powerhouse downstream of the existing Mayo hydroelectric development. Reusing the already in-place dam and intake structure, the work also included connecting and conveying water to the new powerhouse through a new 3.8 km tunnel and penstock system.

Overcoming challenging conditions to make way for the new tunnel and “tie it” into 60-year old infrastructure, we used careful mapping and characterization. This helped support concurrent tunnel design and excavation, and slope stabilization. Precision LiDAR 3-D survey techniques and modelling were also integral to the work.

Within a remote, sub-arctic climate, KGS was also responsible for on-site construction management including all contract administration and quality assurance for the civil, mechanical and electrical works, as well as the supply and installation of the turbines and generator equipment.

As a result, total hydro power generation capacity went from 5.4 MW to 12 MW, increasing Yukon’s renewable and sustainable electricity generation capability. The on-budget, on-schedule project also displaces diesel generation, offsetting up to $10 million in annual fuel costs and eliminating approximately 25,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per year.

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Hydropower and Dams

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Project Highlights

  • A new downstream powerhouse and 3.8 km tunnel and penstock system
  • Integrated new infrastructure with the existing 60-year-old dam and intake infrastructure
  • Generation capacity increased from 5.4 MW to 12 MW
  • Up to $10 million/year fuel cost offset
  • 25,000 tonnes of CO₂ avoided per year
  • $120M project completed on time and on schedule

New Museum Building for the Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada

The new Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada is a state‑of‑the‑art, 86,000 square foot facility housing more than 20 aircraft, 14 galleries, meeting rooms, classrooms, a gift shop and an observation lounge overlooking active runways. KGS Group engineered the energy‑efficient facility targeting LEED Silver certification, balancing visitor experience with performance, constructability and budget.

Working with the Museum, curator, architect, Winnipeg Airports Authority and utility owners, KGS Group’s multidisciplinary team brought the interactive galleries to life and resolved complex requirements including environmental temperature and humidity control for displays and the illumination of the grounds, building façade and galleries.

The final energy model demonstrated 39.1% annual energy savings, achieved through coordinated “out‑of‑the‑box” design strategies and rigorous quality assurance. Stakeholder concerns and issues were addressed, including energy savings, budgeting and LEED certification. The result provides Winnipeg with a destination go-to attraction and venue that welcomes visitors from across Canada and beyond.

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Buildings and Spaces

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Project Highlights

  • Design and commissioning of temperature and humidity stabilization and humidification systems for artifacts
  • High‑efficiency HVAC and building automation to achieve energy targets, showing 39.1% annual savings
  • Electrical distribution and specialty power for interactive exhibits, AV and classrooms
  • Fire protection and life‑safety systems tailored to large artifacts and public assembly spaces
  • Quality assurance and internal project management including design reviews, constructability checks, and commissioning support

Lafleche Dam Low Level Outlet Conduit Remediation

The Lafleche Dam in southwestern Saskatchewan was originally constructed in 1958. The dam’s reservoir (Thomson Lake) is used for municipal water supply, irrigation and recreation. The dam offers flood protection, and its low level outlet conduit is needed for reservoir management and riparian flow passage.

In 2018, an inspection of the conduit revealed severe deterioration of the pipe which presented a significant dam safety risk due to internal erosion. KGS Group developed a solution using an array of innovative conduit replacement and rehabilitation methods, including trenchless technologies such as slip-lining and Cured in Place Pipe (CIPP) replacement. The work required excavations and other construction activities at the toe of the in-service dam which necessitated a comprehensive dam safety surveillance program. KGS implemented a state-of-the-art instrumentation plan with telemetry to monitor the performance of the dam during critical high risk construction stages.

The project was completed on schedule and within budget just before winter onset, under a relatively short construction season. The low level outlet was returned to full service in September 2022 following final commissioning of the new slide gate equipped with a cathodic protection system.

Expertise

Hydropower and Dams

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Project Highlights

  • Inspection and assessment, detailed design, construction supervision, dam safety surveillance and real‑time instrumentation with telemetry
  • Renewal of low‑level outlet conduit at an in‑service dam and work at the dam toe through a short construction season
  • Trenchless methods (slip‑lining, Cured‑in‑Place Pipe), new slide gate, cathodic protection system and state‑of‑the‑art monitoring through critical stages

Kenora Downtown and Waterfront Revitalization

We provided design and contract administration services for a $9.1 million redevelopment of Kenora’s waterfront and downtown precincts – modernizing streets, public spaces and underground services while elevating the pedestrian experience and improving multimodal connectivity. A highlight of this project is utilizing our knowledge of the Complete Streets design methodology to create right‑of‑way that is safer for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers of all ages and abilities.

Working closely with the City of Kenora and stakeholders, the design addressed building interfaces, utility constraints and long‑term maintenance needs. Other major parts of the project included implementing traffic calming elements, pedestrian upgrades, underground renewal and drainage upgrades. Collaboration at focused user meetings resulted in one of the more significant changes from a signalized three-way intersection to the first modern roundabout built along the TransCanada Highway, improving safety and flow.

What was once an aging waterfront area, is now a vibrant pillar of the community that attracts visitors from near and far.

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Transportation

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Project Highlights

  • Street renewals and realignments across key downtown/waterfront corridors
  • Construction of modern roundabout (the first along the TransCanada Highway)
  • Sewer and water renewals with building service replacements
  • Land drainage upgrades and coordinated utility relocations
  • Multi‑use pathways and expanded active‑transportation network
  • Boardwalk extension along waterfront for continuous access
  • Tensile fabric event centre to support community programming
  • Accessible design features – tactile‑delineated sidewalks and grading to meet guidelines
  • Haptic roadway surfacing at intersections for traffic calming and awareness

Perimeter Aviation Terminal Expansion

Perimeter Aviation is a leader in providing safe and innovative aviation services to rural and northern communities in Manitoba and Ontario. To continue to provide an exceptional level of service for their customers, their facilities in Winnipeg required significant upgrades.

Working as a subcontractor for MMP Architects Inc., KGS Group oversaw the planning, design and construction of the expansion and renovation of their main terminal building. This project was split into multiple phases to ensure flights and customers were not significantly impacted.

The first phase included an 18,000 square foot expansion featuring a large and prominent cross-laminate timber ceiling and a new commercial kitchen for the departure terminal. In the second phase, the existing 4,000 square foot terminal building underwent substantial renovations, featuring new kiosks, a modern baggage area, a welcoming arrival area and an upgraded on-site parking lot. Improvements to the remote parking lot took place in the third phase of the project.

The main terminal building also underwent significant mechanical and electrical upgrades. These included new HVAC systems and associated controls, as well as new plumbing and fire protection systems. Additionally, new electrical services included LED lighting, addressable lighting control systems and Lutron shade controls. To maintain customer safety, upgrades also included a state-of-the-art surveillance camera system, access controls and a public address system.

These new facilities and upgrades will help Perimeter Aviation continue to make travel safe, accessible, and impactful for their passengers, connecting communities with every flight.

Expertise

Buildings and Spaces

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Project Highlights

  • 18,000 sq ft expansion and the renovation of the existing 4,000 sq ft terminal
  • Cross‑laminated timber feature ceiling, new commercial kitchen, upgraded kiosks and baggage area, welcoming arrivals zone
  • New HVAC and controls, plumbing and fire protection, LED lighting, addressable lighting control, Lutron shade controls, surveillance cameras, access controls and public address system