Air Canada Centre construction remains on schedule for its guaranteed February 1999 opening, with 300 workers reporting to the site daily.
The installation of the lower bowl seating rakers (angled support beams) has been completed, with the upper bowl rakers to the north side scheduled for completion by month's end. Those on the south end will be finished by December 10. The top row of seats can be easily seen along the north side of the building. The distance from a last row seat to the dashboard is only 126'. Cement has been poured for the second loge level and the third floor of the Air Canada office tower at the northwest corner of the building.
Over 65 percent of the total concrete, amounting to over 18,075 cubic metres, has been poured, with the remainder to be completed by Christmas, 1997.
The installation of the steel roof will commence in January.
Work has also begun to the interior of the building. Masonry walls have started on the event level and a number of the rooms in the northwest corner of the building are complete. The drawings for millwork (cabinets, counters etc.) is now complete and out for tender. The flooring, ceramic tile, painting and wall coverings will go out for tender in the month of November.
CONSTRUCTION MILESTONES
| Feb. 5, 1997 40 Bay Street becomes a 'live' construction site. | Jan. 1998 Concrete work completed, installation of steel roof begins. |
| Mar. 12, 1997 Official ground breaking event. | May 1998 Steel roof completed. |
| Apr. 28, 1997 First concrete is poured. | Sept. 1998 First seats are installed. |
Air Canada Centre Grand Opening. | |