A major overhaul of the exterior of the Terrace Public Health Unit on Kalum Ave. is well underway.
Deep Creek Masonry is the prime contractor on the $1.125 million job paid for by the provincial government which owns the building and leases it to the Northern Health Authority.
Deep Creek owner Kevin Goddard says the renovation project is moving along swiftly with two of about eight walls complete since work began March 21.
The project involves a complete overhaul of the building's exterior – installing new siding over fresh insulation and putting in new windows.
Northern Health has given Goddard until September to finish, but he said that based on current progress the work might wrap up a bit sooner than that.
Three other companies are working on the project as subcontractors, including Yellowhead Pavement Marking Inc., A&J Roofing, and Straight Up Doors.
The project is currently keeping 18 people employed full-time.
Deep Creek Contracting has taken on other large projects in the Terrace area, including the Maple Estates adult living residential street and Horizon Dental buildings.
Goddard says he hires and buys locally, and tries to reuse material salvaged from demolition as much as he can.
"It's all local people, and all local suppliers. Everything came from Rona and Convoy ... We've recycled all the insulation and windows and metal flashings and metal trim salvaged to the scrap yard ... quite a bit of the cedar is being salvaged for fences."
The health unit building was built in the 1970s. Overall the building is in great shape according to Goddard, though he said the decaying siding had turned into one big birdhouse for woodpeckers.