HONOURABLE MENTION: New Roof for the Shepherds of Good Hope, Ottawa

Category: Community Outreach & In-House Initiatives

MORRISON HERSHFIELD

Staff in Morrison Hershfield’s offices volunteer their time to a variety of organizations and the company supports the initiatives by contributing funds or time. Mark Lucuik, P.Eng. of Ottawa realized that the company’s expertise in building envelopes gave them the opportunity to do exterior building repairs for charities at little or no cost. Since this was just before the Christmas construction slowdown, he felt that the time was ideal to undertake the work.

The company contacted several local roofing contractors and material manufacturers to solicit support, and nearly all those approached were excited to take part. Over two Saturdays in December 2000, volunteers from Morrison Hershfield helped replace the roof of some 80-year old townhouses that are dormitories for the Shepherds of Good Hope soup kitchen along King Edward Avenue. The roof was in a desperate state. In the springtime, water literally ran into people’s bedrooms, but there was no budget for repairs. When the roof was examined it was found to have blisters, ridges, failed drains, patches, and 100% failure of the roof flashings.

The new roof is a modified bitumen 2-ply assembly with new drains and new metal flashings. The total roof area is 4,500 square feet, with a value of roughly $20,000. In all around 400 person hours and approximately $8,000 in materials were donated.

While Morrison Hershfield acted as project manager, they also laboured and took instruction from the contractors — a reversal of typical roles. Everyone worked side by side in -15 C temperatures, and many of the office-bound employees enjoyed being outside getting their hands dirty.

The project made a difference to the Shepherds of Good Hope and their ability to provide shelter to disadvantaged men, women and children. For Morrison Hershfield the indirect benefits were a team of motivated employees. The project also received positive media coverage that showed the construction industry working for the common good.CCE

Award winning firm: Morrison Hershfield, Ottawa.

Project leader: Mark Lucuik, P.Eng.

Other key players: Scott Healy Roofing, Ron Robinson Roofing, Soprema Canada, Rasmussen Star Ruddy Barristers & Solicitors, Willy’s Roll Offs.