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Parker: RJC Engineers adds new partners to Calgary office

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John Read launched his structural engineering company from a small, cramped office in Vancouver almost 70 years ago. When he took on partners Peter Jones and Per Christoffersen, he likely never dreamed the firm, now known as RJC Engineers, would grow to 11 offices and more than 450 employees across the country.

The branch office RJC opened here in 1954 continues to prosper with a staff of 78 that includes 70 engineers and technicians. The Calgary office also oversees RJC operations in Lethbridge.

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Doug Little, RJC’s structural managing principal, says both structural engineering and the building sciences and restoration divisions have numerous projects on the books; the full office floor at One Executive Place on Crowchild Trail N. a hive of activity.

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As an employee-owned company, RJC has always been keen to promote from within. With that in mind, the Calgary office has named two new principals, recognizing the experience and skills of structural engineers Chris Davis and Mark Bowen.

Bowen, who joined the firm in 2006, has developed a specialty in bridges and LRT stations. His team is working on the Sarcee Trail/Trans Canada Highway rehabilitation, two bridges and a pedestrian underpass for Trinity Hills at Canada Olympic Park.

The large span that will connect pedestrians from the east side of Macleod Trail to the food court at Chinook Centre was also engineered by this group. Work is also being completed inside the Saks Fifth Avenue store at Chinook.

RJC did the structural engineering for all six stations along the west LRT leg and the project’s six vehicle and pedestrian bridges. It’s also busy with a pedestrian overpass at the Westbrook Mall shopping centre.

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Davis came to Canada in 2005 after 15 years’ experience in the U.K. Since joining RJC in 2006, he has been involved with several highrise towers, including Keynote Urban Village in the Beltline.

He enjoyed working with the University of Calgary on the redevelopment and expansion of its Schulich School of Engineering and the Taylor Digital Library, including its off-site storage facility in the Spy Hill area.

At Mount Royal University, he was involved in engineering of the new parkade and the recently completed Riddell Library & Learning Centre.

At Calgary International Airport, staff were responsible for the structural design of the new international terminal, the roads, parkade, Marriott hotel, Plus-30 and connectivity to the older terminal.

Behind the fine facade and attractive interior of the National Music Centre is a lot of detailed engineering that proved a good test of RJC’s abilities.

The firm also has expertise in restoring heritage buildings such as Balmoral and Colonel Walker sandstone schools and the refurbished King Edward School, which was converted to the C-SPACE community arts hub.

Challenges are always welcomed by good engineers and RJC is particularly proud of being able to satisfy the design of the roof of the new Rocky Ridge recreation centre. At 186,000 square feet, it’s said to be the largest single wood roof in North America — and possibly beyond.

David Parker appears regularly in the Herald. Read his columns online at calgaryherald.com/business. He can be reached at 403-830-4622 or by email at info@davidparker.ca.

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