Share this post

As part of a $30 billion-plus investment program to modernize, upgrade and expand Ontario’s public infrastructure, Infrastructure Ontario and the Ministry of Community Safety and Correction Services are replacing the Toronto Jail with the new Toronto South Detention Centre, a 1,650-bed maximum-security prison for adult inmates, including those with special needs.

The $594 million project also will include the construction of the Toronto Intermittent Centre, a facility to accommodate individuals primarily serving weekend sentences. Groundbreaking for the Toronto South Detention Centre occurred in October 2009, and construction will be completed by fall 2012. EllisDon Corp. and its joint-venture investment partner, Fengate Capital, have teamed up with Zeidler Partnership Architects under a design/build contract.

Best for the Job

EllisDon and Zeidler considered a number of building systems for the Toronto South Detention Centre, but ultimately decided precast was the quickest and most economic way to build the seven-story, 220,000-square-foot prison. Tindall Corp. was among the precasters bidding on the massive project, and according to David Britt, vice president of corrections sales at Tindall, competition was fierce.

“Whether it’s in Canada or the U.S., these jails and prisons are public dollars – taxpayers’ money – and they want competition,” Britt says. “We were successful in convincing EllisDon that we were the most efficient and effective way to get the prison built. We made the cells in Atlanta, while one of our competitors was going to cast near the job site and another just over the border. But with our manufacturing and shipping experience, we have it down to a science. We have perfected rail shipment to the point where we can not only be competitive, but we can also be the most efficient and economical for our customers.”

One-Stop Shop

Tindall is supplying 448 double-cell modules, which equates to 896 cells, as well as an architectural exterior wall. In addition to manufacturing and erecting precast cells, the company’s various divisions work together to provide critical building components ranging from columns, beams and precast walls to electrical, plumbing and mechanical systems. Its turnkey capabilities played a key role in Tindall being the successful bidder on the project, according to Chris Palumbo, vice president of business development. “We’re the only module manufacturer that can be a single source for all the precast for a corrections project,” he states.

“With the help of over 70 engineers in our company, we do a better building process through technology,” Britt adds. “It makes a difference when we sit down on the front-end with a customer, be it an architect, general contractor or owner, because we are not just selling a project – we are selling a solution. Every project is driven by economics, especially in today’s times. Our brand-new manufacturing facility in San Antonio operates much like an automotive production facility. In other words, we build the BMW cell at a Chevy price, and that’s what our customers like.”

‘A Real Showpiece’

Experienced craftsmen erect the walls and floor of the cells as they move down the production line. The cells are painted; fitted with bunks, desks, toilets and light fixtures; and then thoroughly tested. Being able to do this off-site in a temperature- and humidity-controlled environment ensures quality and consistency, and eliminates common site challenges such as weather, vandalism or theft. “We started erecting our product in Toronto in October 2010, and [we completed] our work in May – and that’s through one of the worst winters in Toronto’s history,” Britt notes. “We plowed right through it and continued working.

“Our engineers worked with EllisDon, the architect and structural engineer to help make this facility come together, and the ministry will be very happy with it,” he continues. “It’s a great team and a breath of fresh air to work on a project where everyone is so committed. I think this project is proof that we can do a very complicated architectural finish anywhere in the world and deliver a total precast project that’s second to none. That’s what Toronto South Detention Centre says to me, and I think it will say that to the industry. It’s a real showpiece.” Other key partners to Tindall include Interstate Specialized Inc. and Acorn Engineering.