Canada’s nuclear industry is showing off wood’s potential.

Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) received funding of nearly $4 million from the federal government to put toward construction of a series of mass-timber buildings at its Chalk River Laboratories near Ottawa.

The announcement was made on September 21 by Paul Lefebvre, Parliamentary Secretary to Natural Resources Minister Seamus O’Reagan, during National Forest Week.

“This innovative project demonstrates the benefits of using mass timber products in the construction of industrial buildings,” said Lefebvre. “It reinforces our position as a global leader in the transition to a low-carbon future.” 

The project will showcase the use of wood for low-rise, non-residential construction while helping to reduce the carbon footprint of the Chalk River campus.

Funding for construction is provided through Natural Resources Canada’s Green Construction through Wood program, which encourages the use of wood in non-traditional construction projects such as tall and non-residential buildings and bridges.

On his visit to the CNL facility at Chalk River, Lefebvre also participated in the inauguration of CNL’s support facility, a new two-storey industrial-use complex that will serve as a centralized maintenance and support building.

The building is one of a number of new enabling buildings that are being designed and constructed at the Chalk River campus using wood sourced from Canada. Others include the outer gate facility, a new building which will transform the site entry point at the Chalk River campus.

The support facility features cross-laminated timber for the elevator shaft, floors and roof panels, which are supported by Glulam timber purlins, beams and columns. Once complete, the building will use 880 cubic metres of wood and have a net CO² benefit of 964 metric tonnes.

The buildings are part of a 10-year capital program, funded through a $1.2-billion investment from AECL, that is designed to transform the Chalk River Laboratories through the revitalization of essential site infrastructure and a significant investment in new, world-class science facilities.

“Our commitment to environmental stewardship goes beyond our clean energy research and environmental remediation activities,” said Brian Savage, vice-president of CNL’s capital program. “The focus on using wood for new buildings at the Chalk River campus is proof of that commitment. We are also modernizing the site to further reduce our carbon footprint and ensure long-term sustainability.”

In addition to the new enabling buildings, CNL recently opened a $55-million hydrogen laboratory complex, a $100-million materials research laboratory, and a $40-million tritium laboratory. Major investments have also been made into important infrastructure improvements, including new domestic water and natural gas service to the campus, a modern sanitary sewage treatment facility, and a system to more effectively manage storm water on the site.

“The revitalization of the Chalk River Laboratories is key to helping us meet the challenges of tomorrow, including building a low-carbon future,” said AECL president and CEO Richard Sexton. “Using Canadian wood for our new facilities is part of our commitment to environmental stewardship. By building a sustainable, world-class nuclear science and technology campus, we are positioning ourselves to be at the forefront of science and innovation.”