1978
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Incorporated in Grande Prairie. Driven by the entrepreneurial spirit of founder Victor Budzinski, Valard is created on the principles of employee inclusion and quality workmanship. |
1978-1983
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Maintenance of electrical distribution and telecommunications facilities primarily in northern Alberta, as well as construction of minor distribution and transmission projects. |
1984
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Awarded first major project: constructing BC Hydro’s Takla Landing to Fort Babine 19.9 kV distribution line. This is Valard’s first foray into cross-country line construction and the rugged terrain requires extensive use of explosives for excavation and helicopters for hoisting. |
1985-1991
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Continues to win contracts for the maintenance and construction of power systems in Western Canada. Valard’s operations increase considerably in Alberta and expand to British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, the Yukon and the Northwest Territories. |
1992
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Awarded the Falls River project by BC Hydro. Requires the creative use of barges and boats for construction activities along the fjords and channels of the rugged coastline. |
1996
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Awarded the North-Central project by Manitoba Hydro. Valard purchases its own camp facilities for this remote project and demonstrates its considerable workforce and cold-weather construction expertise. |
1997
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Awarded the Kemess Mine 230 kV transmission project in northern British Columbia. This is the first major private transmission line in Canada. Deep in the McKenzie Forest District, the 190 km line showcases Valard’s logistical abilities. It requires the purchase of several large excavators for the installation of subterranean bearing pads on all structures and anchors. Much of the mountainous terrain requires helicopter construction techniques. This is the first time Valard works with a major transmission consulting firm; it would open the door to many future EPC projects. |
1997
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Awarded the Dorsey-Neepawa project by Manitoba Hydro. Constructed over two seasons, this project links a major HVDC station near Winnipeg to a substation northwest of Portage-la-Prairie with a single 230 kV circuit. Local experienced trades people are hired, many remaining with Valard permanently and forming the core of its transmission line construction work group. |
1998-2001
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Awarded a series of 138 kV transmission projects in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, as well as 230 kV projects in Alberta and Manitoba. Valard also provides transmission maintenance for the Kemess Mine line it constructed in 1997.
Awarded maintenance and services contracts all over Alberta. Valard’s bonding capacity grows, as does its reputation for completing projects on schedule with a high standard of workmanship. |
2002-2004
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Awarded a series of major transmission line and substation contracts in northern Alberta. In total, Valard constructs 300 km of 230 kV line and over 100 km of 138 kV line. Highlights include installing the largest transmission structures in Alberta (260 ft) and constructing 170 km of 230 kV line in under four months inclusive of several major river crossings. This was part of the Dover-Whitefish transmission project, which won the project owner an international Edison Award, the industry’s most prestigious honour, for “the speed and quality of the work.”
Valard secures its position as contractor of choice for transmission construction in the resource-rich region of Fort McMurray. |
2004
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Awarded part of the Bell Alberta Supernet project. Valard completes three of nine zones of OSP connection work delivering a high-speed fibre network to connect all schools and government institutions in Alberta. |
2005
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Awarded two major EPC projects: design and construction of the site distribution system for the CNRL Horizon oilsands project near Fort McMurray, Alberta, and design and construction of transmission facilities for the DeBeers Victor Mine project on the James Bay Coast of Ontario. |
2006
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Awarded several major EPC projects and multiple construction projects of unprecedented scope and size. Valard hires more skilled trades people, foremen and supervisors and expands its management structure to support this growth. |
2007
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Awarded the DeBeers project in northern Ontario. This 415 km, 115 kV line poses incredible logistical challenges: an incredibly remote location and difficult swamp and fen terrain. Valard establishes excellent relationships with the five neighbouring First Nations communities |
2008
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Awarded the Bruce to Milton 500 kV transmission project by Hydro One. This $600 million is the largest expansion to Ontario’s transmission system in 20 years – and the largest power line project underway in Canada at the time. It is also the first time Hydro One has allowed a contractor to work on its facilities. |
2010
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Founder Victor Budzinski focuses on business development in his CEO role and appoints Adam Budzinski as President of Valard, responsible for all operations. |
2010
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Joins the Quanta Services family, the largest utility contractor in the world, adding significant resources and bonding capacity. |
2011
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Awarded BC Hydro's Northwest Transmission Line project, along with project partner Burn and McDonnell. The 287-kV circuit will run 344 km to extend transmission service to the northwest region of B.C. where electricity infrastructure is lacking. It is expected to lead to the development of several mines in the area, and be completed by late 2013. |
2012
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Workforce tops 1,200 employees. |