The cost to build Bombardier’s new, state-of-the-art facility at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport will be around a half-billion dollars.

The company provided an update on construction of the new facility on November 2.

On track for completion in 2023, the facility will provide a new home to the manufacturing centre for Bombardier’s Global series jets, and employ as many as 2,000 people. The cost to build the 77,000-square foot facility is estimated at $400 million USD.

“Construction of our new Global Manufacturing Centre of Excellence is advancing as planned,” said Éric Martel, President and Chief Executive Officer, Bombardier. “We are extremely proud of the people who have been producing our best-in-class business jets for decades here in Ontario, and with the rising demand for large-cabin, long-range aircraft, we are looking forward to providing our teams with a new, state-of-the-art work environment.”

Bombardier is currently building its fleet of Global jets at a plant in Downsview that was built in the 1960s. The move to Pearson building will significantly reduce Bombardier’s industrial and environmental footprint. Environmentally responsible features in the new building will reduce energy consumption by just under 60 percent by incorporating natural and more efficient lighting elements, newer heating methods and updated processing systems.

The building is being built by Ledcor.

“We are proud to be building Bombardier’s new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility at Toronto Pearson International Airport,” said Ray Lawrence, Vice President, Ontario, Ledcor Construction. “We are excited to work with the project and design team to achieve Bombardier’s sustainability and energy efficiency targets.”

During the event, Bombardier also confirmed it will remain active in creating educational and job opportunities for future generations of aerospace talent in the Greater Toronto Area, and particularly through its work with the Downsview Aerospace Innovation & Research (DAIR) consortium.

The consortium, which the company cofounded with Centennial College, drives local collaborative research and development to help small and medium aerospace hub businesses scale up.

“It is our continuing strategy to further support local innovation, harness the ingenuity of future aerospace professionals and enrich our local supply chain. Our involvement with DAIR enables us to realize this vision and it is one that we value greatly,” Martel.

“I want to thank the City of Mississauga and the Regional Municipality of Peel, as well as our partners at the Greater Toronto Airports Authority for making us feel truly welcome in our future new home here in Mississauga.”

Featured image: Artist’s rendering of the new Bombardier facility at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport. (Bombardier)