Keeping you informed about all things LAR-MEX
Umm, where did all of the snow go? It seems like winter has left as quickly as it came. Well, maybe not as quickly as some would have liked. None the less, spring has arrived and that means sunnier skies and warmer weather! This winter was a tough one, let alone adding into the mix, COVID. As we welcome spring, we also look forward to the many things happening in the field on job sites and around the office, at LAR-MEX!
Having now settled in to the ‘new’ LAR-MEX, as Ottawa’s leading provider of Mechanical Contracting Services for New Construction and Retrofit projects, it is important that we all understand the direction and vision of our leadership team. As a mechanical contracting company, the challenges that we face are constant and always changing- but it is more important that we acknowledge all of the STRENGTHS that we have to counter the challenges we face.
LAR-MEX continues to be a team of over 170 people dedicated to providing the best service in the industry. So far this year, we have secured projects that will keep us busy for the next two years, including one of the largest residential contracts to-date, for Ottawa Community Housing, valued at just under $14million!
Where we’ve been…
Our footprint in the city continues to grow to new heights, not only at Claridge ICON, the 46-storey condo overlooking Dow’s Lake and the Gatineau Hills and at Claridge Moon, – but also at other notable residential projects like, SOHO Italia and Westboro’s 320 McRae. South of the City we are reaching new heights in Barrhaven where our work is on display to the residents of the 16-storey Howard Grant Terrace, and also next door at 150 Marketplace “Haven Towers” where our team continues to deliver impressive work.
Where we’re heading…
In the west end of the city, we have taken new strides as a go-to for OLRT contracting as our team embarks on the Bayshore and Moodie LRT stations and to-date, some of our nicest work is on display at the new Canadian Tire Superstore. Across the border in Quebec, the City of Gatineau is now operating its sewage treatment plant more efficiently and most importantly; safely – thanks largely to the work of our team that continues to be present on site.
It is an exciting time to be a part of LAR-MEX! As we approach another month there is a lot to look forward to. It continues to be our vision and goal to engage all of you and to be the best Mechanical Contractor in the Ottawa area.
Around the office:
Help us celebrate the hard work you do in the field every day!
This year we want to recognize the great work that our staff do, office and field. To do this, we are calling on you to nominate your peers for various LAR-MEX awards that will be announced monthly. Scroll to the bottom for quick links to take part and submit a nomination.
Celebrating you:
The Richard Morin Award:
As some of you may know, prior to the pandemic, we awarded the Richard Morin award to a member of the Construction, Office and Service departments; annually at our Employee Appreciation Day.
With things opening up again, we have booked and confirmed our Employee Appreciation Day for 2022 and we are excited to once again, be able to award the Richard Morin award to one of you. Nominations for this award are submitted by you and your work peers here https://lar-mex.com/richard-morin-award/
The Richard Morin award is given to the most dependable and responsible LAR-MEX employee, annually. Nominees are voted on by their peers, which are then pooled together for the annual award considerations. One person is chosen.
Rick was a positive influence at LAR-MEX and introduced us to some of our largest projects to date. He passed away from a heart attack and forever left his mark on us, here at LAR-MEX.
APRIL’S LAR-MEX CHAMPION
Congratulations to Project Manager, Xavier Morin-Tanguay. Xavier was recently running the show at Canadian Nuclear Laboratories. His team did such a great job that they provided us with an absolutely glowing close out report.
Of note, Xavier’s ability to communicate amongst all parties, keep things running on time and ultimately completing the project on time and above satisfactory. Great job Xavier!
APRIL’S SAFETY AMBASSADOR:
Congratulations to Shop Foreman, Brian Galloway for winning April’s Safety Ambassador Award. Brian’s dedication to keeping the shop crew informed, safe and engaged, amongst other attributes earned him this nomination.
Out of sight for those of us at the office, the complexity and craftsmanship that goes on at our shop is incredible and Brian helps make sure it is known by providing regular updates for the rest of us. Way to go Brian! 
Help us celebrate the hard work you do in the field every day!
This year we want to recognize the great work that our staff do, office and field. To do this, we are calling on you to nominate your peers for various LAR-MEX awards that will be announced monthly. Scroll to the bottom for quick links to take part and submit a nomination.
Lots of work on the horizon…
Our estimation department has been working hard and has recently won some great contracts, adding to our full plate of work.
- 715 Mikinak – LAR-MEX will be doing the full Mechanical Contract at this Ottawa Community Housing Development, providing affordable housing to many in our community. The development will be situated near the old Rockcliffe Airbase grounds where the land has sat, largely unused for some time. Work is commencing this spring on this contract valued at just under $14million.
- 180 Wellington – LAR-MEX will be responsible for the pre-purchase and installation of 1 CRAC unit, VAV boxes, grills, diffusers and louvers. This includes demolition of existing system, piping and duct work. We will also be supplying and installing new piping and ductwork for the CRAC unit as well as installing new sprinkler head system and connecting all equipment to the existing BAS systems.
- 1075 March Road – LAR-MEX will be performing the entire Design-Build of a new, 3 bay fire station, for the City of Ottawa, Replacing the existing station located at 1075 March Road. This will include full HVAC and Refrigeration, Sheet Metal and Plumbing as well as integration with the facilities controls and automation systems.
Field Highlights and Project Updates:
OLRT Bayshore Updates:
LAR-MEX mobilized on site at end of April in efforts to begin the scope of work for this project including plumbing scope for all Storm, Sanitary and Domestic Water piping across the station.
Shout Out: Shout out to Lucas Carson, Neel Patel and Ryan Weller for getting the ball rolling and your work on this project to date.
OLRT Moodie Station Updates:
Lar-Mex will be responsible for all mechanical plumbing and piping scope at the station. This includes all underground drainage piping, domestic water and plumbing fixture install.
Site team is working hard to coordinate efforts to get ready for first stage of underground drainage piping. A unique challenge: the station has no Water Entry which makes testing of pipes impossible. Our team had to think about how to do testing and came up with the idea to send Water trucks to site to do water tests for all the piping.
Shout Out: Shout out to Ryan Weller, Lucas Carson and Udit Roy for their work on this project to date.
Bank Street Animal Hospital Updates:
LAR-MEX has completed the rough-in of ventilation, plumbing, refrigeration and controls are completed. TSSA registration has been completed.
Work at this site includes complex fittings and piping run for medi-gas and scavenger exhaust piping. Complex and not ordinary this required true skill and communication. Complex ductwork and HVAC will soon be on display at the Bank Street Animal Hospital.
Shout Out: Shout out to Tanner Delgreco, Jordan Montgomery and Jimmy Veal for their great work on this project.
320 McRae Avenue Updates:
LAR-MEX will be on-site in Westboro, at 320 McRae for 2 years completing the full Plumbing and HVAC scope at this new, elegant multi-residential building. Currently we have completed executing the slabs for the ground floor in building A and the second floors are underway.
Shout Out: Shout out to Jeff McCoy, Luc Robitaille and crew
Kemptville College Updates:
LAR-MEX has completed work at the Kemptville College in their alumni building. Scope involved installation of 3 outdoor condensing unit with 10 indoor cassette type fan coils complete with necessary drainage and standalone controls. Condensing units were hoisted to the roof well, all indoor units have been installed in the ceiling, piping for refrigeration and communication wiring has been run. Shout out to all involved who had to complete the job that was estimated to take 120 hours in only 21 weeks.
Shout Out: Shout out to Jake Kargus, Marc-Antoine Cloutier and Xavier Morin-Tanguay for their great work on this job!
715 Mikinak Updates
LAR-MEX recently won this awesome project which involves the full HVAC, Sheet Metal, Plumbing scope of this multi-residential build for Ottawa Community Housing. The community will provide affordable housing to residents and is situated on the old Rockcliffe air base. A lot of effort from the Lar-Mex designer to issue BIM coordination drawings for proper implementation. Requested master schedule from G.C to meet structural schedule to allow us to continue moving at the fast pace we’ve been able to start with.
Shout Out: Shout out to Jennifer Palmer for her leadership, dedication and hard work in the initial phases of this project
Centennial Public School Updates:
LAR-MEX has been on-site at Centennial Public School and will be for a total of 8 months, performing the Mechanical Plumbing, Sheet Metal and Refrigeration scope for the pool renovation taking place. To date, work has included hoisting DX unit on to roof, restrain spec for over size crave due to location of DX unit on roof.
Shout Out: Shout out to Marc-Anotine Cloutier, Marc-Antoine Clavel and crew for their work on this job so far.
LAR-MEX Events & Activities:
Coming Up…
Sunday, May 1st, The LAR-MEX Cyclists are taking part in the CN CYCLE for CHEO. Set out with the goal of raising $2000, our team ended up raising $3350! A huge shout out to all who donated and took part in the event:
Elie Chamas – 70km, Dan Chouinard – 35km, Paul Lemieux – 35km, Ghislaine Lemieux – 35km, Marc Munroe and team – 15km, Jeff, Irina, Lucas, Kushal, J.F. – 2km
Aside from the events of cycling or walking there is also a BBQ, entertainment and various activities for after the cycle/walk, making this a complete and fun day. We hope that more of you will join us next year.
Stay tuned for details…
In July, we will be holding an outdoor Family Fun Day at Calypso Waterpark. Spaces will be limited, so watch for your invite from the event planners’ group, and RSVP when it comes! We hope you’ll join us for some outdoor fun in the sun!
For more information on upcoming events, contact events@lar-mex.com
Honorable mentions:
It goes without saying that we value everything that each of you bring to the table for LAR-MEX, in your respective positions. Every day great things are happening in the office and in the field. Of late, we have received some glowing client reviews for some of our field work.
An honorable mention to Xavier Morin-Tanguay and his team for their recent, exceptional work at Canadian Nuclear Laboratories. This was complicated job involved multiple changes and modifications to supplies and execution but ultimately, our crew pulled it off exceptionally.
Not only was the primary work scope completed under budget but the customer gave an outstanding close out report, with a perfect score for LAR-MEX. Of note, excellent client – vendor communications were what made this such a success, along with due diligence and follow-up of the leadership team involved. Great job Xavier and company!
Honorable mentions:
It goes without saying that we value everything that each of you bring to the table for LAR-MEX, in your respective positions. Every day great things are happening in the office and in the field. Of late, we have received some glowing client reviews for some of our field work.
An honorable mention to Xavier Morin-Tanguay and his team for their recent, exceptional work at Canadian Nuclear Laboratories. This was complicated job involved multiple changes and modifications to supplies and execution but ultimately, our crew pulled it off exceptionally.
Not only was the primary work scope completed under budget but the customer gave an outstanding close out report, with a perfect score for LAR-MEX. Of note, excellent client – vendor communications were what made this such a success, along with due diligence and follow-up of the leadership team involved. Great job Xavier and company!
Congratulations Zach!
A warm LAR-MEX welcome to the world to little Rhett Harrison, the newest member to the family of Zach Harrison. Rhett was born March 10th at 10L09am weighing in at 6lbs and 8oz.
Zach, all the best as you embark on this awesome journey. We spoke to some veteran parents around the office and their advice is simple – “Sleep when and wherever you can”. Most importantly, enjoy every single minute with this little guy.
Useful Links for all Employees:
- Do you want Employee Merch? Give us your sizing here: https://forms.office.com/r/Xeiz5NDsqN
- Do you want to recognize a coworker? Nominate them for as a LAR-MEX Champion (awarded monthly to office and field staff all nominees will be entered in our Rick Morin award considerations for employee of the year): https://forms.office.com/r/4q1MWrB6Ut
- Do you want to nominate a peer for the monthly Safety Ambassador Award (applies to field and office staff): https://forms.office.com/r/RXCM59ZL1F
Contest Alert:
Slogan time…
We want your help coming up with some slogans for LAR-MEX, which we will use for marketing, recruitment and public engagement. In the past we’ve used – “Discover a career that works for you.” We want to convey a fun and positive work culture, career development and security.
You can submit your slogan proposals directly to jmacgregor@lar-mex.com. The winner will be chosen by Dan Chouinard and will receive a $100 LCBO gift card.
Thank you!
Thank you to all of you for taking the time to read through the latest edition of the LAR-MEX PULSE. Stay tuned for more great news in the near future. To share some positive news, contact Jeff MacGregor jmacgregor@lar-mex.com. As always, for questions or concerns reach out to your Manager or Supervisor. Keep up the great work everybody.
Dan Chouinard – Presiden