Project Strategy

The inspiring journey of our involvement with the BC & Alberta Guide Dogs Training Facility. This remarkable facility is dedicated to training dogs of all breeds for individuals with various disabilities. We were fortunate enough to be part of this meaningful project, engaging in early conversations with the General Contractor to provide valuable input on selecting high-performing floorcoverings.

This project holds a special place in our hearts, particularly for one of our long-tenured mechanics. Sixteen years ago, the BC Guide Dogs trained a special service dog for his eldest son, who required assistance. Recognizing the immense support they provided to one of our own, we knew we had to give back to this incredible organization.

The planning phase spanned two years, during which we assisted in converting a non-performing specification into a STARNET vendor-recommended product. We owe a great deal of credit to our local supplier of ALTRO and their A&D representative, Paul Harper of Erv Parent Company, as well as Alexandria Pappove, the local A&D representative from ALTRO. Their proactive approach in facilitating the required performance ratings of the ALTRO product was invaluable.

Creating the ideal training environment for these dogs was crucial. The facility needed a color scheme that was both aesthetically pleasing and practical, ensuring that the dogs' new owners would feel confident that their companions were trained in the most humane setting possible.

We are proud to have contributed to such a meaningful project, knowing that our efforts will positively impact the lives of those who rely on these incredible service dogs.

Unique Installation Challenge Strategy

I wanted to share a detailed account of some unique and technical challenges we encountered and successfully addressed during our recent construction project.

Firstly, we identified that the floors did not have the necessary slope to several drains throughout the facility. To tackle this issue, our skilled trowel tradesmen meticulously shot elevations to determine where MAPEI products were needed to create the correct slope toward the drains. They built precise breaking points to facilitate water flow to each drain and ensured compliance with local plumbing and building codes.

In the construction phase, we discovered that a hydronic heat system was not installed in eight of the puppy nursing bays, where heat is crucial for the puppies' development. A significant challenge arose when the electricians proposed and specified and installed a "Heated Matte" system in several pens, only to find that all of them disbonded from the concrete. Despite the owner's initial conviction that this was the desired system, we were called in to rectify the situation after the first installation failed. We used ARDEX products to install the heated cable mattes and leveled over the wire to protect it from damage. The mattes were installed with a thermal break, ensuring the correct amount of topping covered the wire to protect the ALTRO from discoloration or burning shadows through to the top surface. Since the “Heat Matte System” was nearly a ¼” higher than the remainder of the substrate, we had to build up the floor to meet the matte system and ensure a flat transition throughout.

Once the substrate was prepared, we installed 2000 SY of ALTRO Walkway 20 using the recommended Taylor Resolute Adhesives throughout. The entire facility featured a two-color installation, framed with a main color and a different color border. To add to the complexity, the owner requested that the ALTRO Walkway 20 be installed on all the walls in the training rooms and pens. The flooring was flash-coved throughout the facility, and in the training and nursing areas, the connection between the floor and wall material had to be heat welded as well. We applied 3000 linear feet of weld rod in two colors and ensured all ALTRO areas were sealed, and all floor drains were epoxied to eliminate any chance of water ingress.

The facility kitchens and washrooms were fitted with Dal Tile products in two large format sizes, complete with a waterproof system behind the beautiful surface. On the exterior, the owner requested a liquid-applied flake system, but the concrete placement was poorly finished, resulting in incorrect sloping and bird baths pooling. To address this, we remediated all exterior areas with MAPEI exterior-grade products before installing the flake system.

The installation process took 32 days, with a dedicated team of four men working 8-10 hour shifts. The incredible tight timeline was also a challenge as we went from a summer schedule to a late fall climate. Additional heat and tarps were added since the internal and external temperatures did not meet installation standards.

I am proud of the team's dedication and hard work in overcoming these challenges, and I believe our efforts have resulted in a high-quality, well-functioning facility that meets the owner's expectations.