Pickering Office Tower Will be New Home for OPG Nuclear Employees

PICKERING, ON, Sept. 30 /CNW/ - Today, Ontario Power Generation reaffirmed its economic and social partnership with Pickering and its community when OPG announced it will be leasing two floors, representing approximately 35,000 square feet, of the new Class 'A', LEED-Silver office tower currently being constructed at Liverpool Road and Highway 401 in Pickering.

Wayne Robbins, chief nuclear officer, Ontario Power Generation (OPG), made the announcement and underscored the significance of OPG strengthening its presence in Pickering.  "OPG values its leadership role in the community and we're pleased to continue contributing as a positive economic driver and as a proud community partner," said Robbins.  "The building will house about 170 OPG employees from various locations who support OPG's nuclear activities in Durham Region."

Since the office tower was first announced in May 2009, it has become a catalyst for a number of multi-million dollar investments in Pickering's downtown core.   The $30 million office tower is part of a $50 million commercial and infrastructure project, which will include a 700-vehicle GO Transit/office parking deck.  The showpiece of this project will be a fully enclosed $10 million pedestrian bridge that will span Highway 401 and provide a direct connection to the Pickering GO station - making it the most visible example of sustainability in the entire province.

Mayor Dave Ryan, who led the preliminary office tower negotiations and later secured funding for the GO Transit pedestrian bridge and parking deck, was thrilled by OPG's decision to locate additional nuclear employees in the office tower.  "The City's vision of hosting a world-class EN3 cluster of Energy, Environmental and Engineering companies has come to fruition," said Mayor Ryan.  "OPG Nuclear's long term commitment to Pickering will further strengthen our city's burgeoning reputation as one of Ontario's most dynamic and significant business centres.  More importantly, it will attract even more like-minded companies to Pickering, which means more jobs for our residents."

20 Vic Management is the developer of the office tower.  "We are very proud to be a key part of Pickering's downtown intensification," said George Buckles, principal, 20 Vic Management.  "It would be a disservice to not acknowledge the transformational efforts of Mayor Ryan who helped to make this project a reality by getting all of the project stakeholders including senior levels of government to buy into his compelling and sweeping city-building vision."

As the gateway city to the east GTA, Pickering (population 94,000) is strategically located where Toronto, York and Durham Regions meet.  Pickering is an affluent community that is steeped in history, natural beauty and small town charm with all the amenities and services that a big city has to offer.  The City of Pickering is considered a municipal leader in fiscal management, service delivery, sustainability and the environment; and offers a wealth of sports, leisure and recreation opportunities to its residents.  Pickering has been recognized by Profit magazine as one of the ten best cities in Canada for growth companies and received the 2008 FCM-CH2M Hill Sustainable Community Planning Award.

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