Site C Work Camp in B.C. May Head to Landfill

A massive 1,700-person work camp, built to support the Site C hydroelectric dam construction near Fort St. John, B.C., may head for the local landfill by the end of 2025, according to recent reports. B.C. taxpayers funded this work camp, which features facilities like a movie theatre, gym, and cafeteria, and originally intended it to house workers during the dam’s construction.

Now that the dam is operational, local leaders are scrambling to find a solution to avoid wasting the camp’s extensive infrastructure.

What’s Inside the Work Camp?

The Site C work camp, built at a cost of $470 million, includes amenities such as:

21 three-storey dormitories with 80 rooms each, providing beds and bathrooms
Movie theatre and gymnasium
Fitness centre, cafeteria, and coffee shop
Outdoor fire pit and beer on tap at the bar

These facilities were designed to support workers during the construction phase, but with the project nearing completion and operations underway, the need for such a large camp has significantly decreased.

The Environmental Impact and Local Concerns

The possibility of sending the work camp to a landfill has raised concerns in the Peace River Regional District (PRRD). The camp covers around 665,443 square feet, including buildings, concrete slabs, and steel piles.

Local leaders, including PRRD chair Leonard Hiebert, have expressed frustration over the potential environmental impact, pointing out that it would significantly shorten the lifespan of the local landfill. Hiebert referred to the camp as a “mini town” that could add a significant amount of waste to the region.

Efforts to Find a New Home for the Camp

B.C. Hydro has been exploring alternative options for repurposing the camp, including reaching out to First Nations, government agencies, and private companies. However, they have yet to find a firm commitment for acquiring any part of the camp.

Greg Alexis, a spokesperson for Site C, explained that while the company has made efforts to recycle the camp’s furniture and equipment, the size and cost of disassembling the buildings make it difficult to find a buyer. Moving just one of the 21 dormitories would require about 30 flatbed trucks, and modifications to meet local building codes would be necessary.

What’s Next for the Site C Camp?

Although several organizations have shown initial interest in the camp, many have found that it’s more cost-effective to purchase custom-built facilities rather than repurpose the existing work camp.

As a result, B.C. Hydro is continuing efforts to find a suitable use for the camp before demolition work begins later this year. In the meantime, some local leaders, including Hiebert, have suggested potential uses for the buildings, such as converting them into treatment facilities or housing for visitors to local hospitals.

Broader Concerns About Construction Waste

The fate of the Site C work camp has sparked a broader conversation about construction waste in British Columbia. Glyn Lewis, founder of Vancouver-based Renewal Development, emphasized the need for more sustainable building practices.

He argued that construction waste, particularly from work camps, contributes significantly to landfill use. Lewis advocates for designing buildings that are adaptable and can be repurposed for future use, rather than discarded after a single project.

A Wake-Up Call for the Industry

The situation at Site C serves as a “wake-up call” for governments and industries to consider more responsible alternatives to construction waste. Many modular buildings are now designed with transportability in mind, offering an opportunity to move and reuse structures as needed. This could potentially reduce waste and contribute to more sustainable construction practices in future projects.

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