There are a few things Canadians might know about Sudbury, Ontario, such as the Big Nickel or the city’s other landmark: the Superstack. 

Built in 1972 to disperse sulphur dioxide gas emissions, it’s the tallest chimney in the Western Hemisphere, and, at 1,250 feet, the second-tallest structure in Canada, looking up to only the CN Tower.

For some, it’s Shoresy, the Letterkenny TV sitcom spinoff, set in Sudbury. Or maybe you’re aware of its historic nickel mining industry, critical to the city’s growth.  Of course, Sudbury’s most famous son is Alex Trebek of Jeopardy fame — born there in 1940 — or you may have heard of the city’s 3,600 square kilometers of rugged, natural beauty in the heart of the Canadian shield.

If you’re a true expert in Canadiana, you might even know the Sudbury Basin was formed by a massive comet impact 1.85 billion years ago.  

And, like any community, there are the things only the locals know: the best spots to launch your paddleboards onto one of Sudbury’s 300 lakes (no spoilers here), the visceral memories of decades of Sudbury Wolves hockey games and concerts at the Sudbury Community Arena, and the views from hundreds of kilometres of hiking trails.

“There are walking trails all over the city,” says Michelle Astgen, an accountant at PCL Construction’s Northern Ontario office. 

Michelle Astgen grew up on those trails and on the water, and on any given weekend, you’ll still find her out on the family fishing boat — while her family pulls out the rods, reels and tackle.

Astgen is part of a professional team at the PCL Northern Ontario office that’s passionate about, and proud of the community. She’s a fan of the OHL’s Sudbury Wolves, and she enjoys relishing in the city’s many locally owned restaurants and cafes. But her favourite part of her city is the feel: like cottage country, without even leaving the city.

“If you're an outdoors person, we've got it all,” says Paul Franklin, the business development manager for the office. 

Like most of the office staff, Franklin was also born and raised in Sudbury. From the Sudbury Regional Hospital and Extendicare’s Countryside Long-term Care Centre to major infrastructure for the mining industry, he and his team have experience navigating complex builds that require both technical expertise and community trust.

“There really isn't anything we can't build or any project that we won't look at,” he says. “We've tapped into some of everything since we've been here, including projects in mining, hospitality, healthcare and other sectors.”

The team's local connection and local knowledge add value for clients when it comes to successful delivery of that wide range of projects across the region. They know the rocky geology, the history — and the people.

“Whether it be a municipal project or a mining project, the people who work out of this office are all residents of Sudbury,” says Franklin. “It’s our community and our names, and our personal reputations are attached to everything we build here.”  

While the office is fiercely local, two of the things that sets PCL apart from other builders in northern Ontario — are the size and depth of experience of the team in its corner. The regional office currently staffs 18 salaried employees, but Franklin says that team is supported by PCL's bench strength of more than 4500 colleagues and industry-leading experts across North America. Those teams serve a wide spectrum of construction sectors, including – for example – the sports and entertainment sector in which PCL has delivered more than 570 arenas, stadiums and multi-use event facilities with a current construction value of more than $10 billion .

“If our team ever comes across a challenge that we don’t have the answer to, within hours, we can collaborate virtually with PCL’s in-house experts, such as our Sports Centre of Excellence specialists,” says Franklin. “And — because of PCL’s culture of mobility — if we need someone physically here to help us out, we can mobilize resources to projects within days.”  

“Having that strength and support from PCL's offices in other cities and countries, really makes us a leader,” says John Schmalz, area office manager. “It's connecting the dots and ensuring this team has all the resources it needs that really gives them the confidence to execute each project with exceptional quality.”

PCL is a big company, with a wealth of experience, resources and deep financial stability, but at its heart, it’s a family business with small-town roots. Ernie Poole started the company in 1906 in Stoughton, Saskatchewan. Incorporated as Poole Construction Ltd. In 1910, Ernie sold the company to his sons in the late ‘40s, it was purchased by employees in the late ‘70s — and it remains an employee-owned company today. The original “Poole’s Rules” are still posted in every office — reminding every employee of the basic values and ethics that made the small-town builder an international success story.

“There's always been that family approach of: we're in this together to find a solution,” says Schmalz. “We strive to operate as a small business that's in the community to help support it economically, to work with it collaboratively, and to create lasting legacy through the projects we deliver.” 

That’s why, in cities like Sudbury, PCL uses local suppliers, subcontractors and trades whenever possible. Even office supplies and furniture are bought locally.

“Sometimes, big companies are seen as outsiders, but in Sudbury, our team is the community,” says Franklin. “We live here. We shop here. Our kids skate on the same ice. PCL is not going anywhere.”

That bond has led to deep relationships with the local companies that PCL subcontracts.

“Our partners have started to say to us, ‘hey, if your team is looking at a job up in Wawa, which is six hours away, let us know. We’ll go with you,” says Franklin.

While Sudbury’s economy has diversified in recent decades, the mining industry is still a huge part of what makes the community tick, and an important source of projects for PCL. In recent years, PCL has done work for both of the major mining companies in the area, Glencore and Vale.

Some of that work is contributing to a broader environmental transformation happening in Sudbury. Once known widely for its air pollution, emissions of SO2 and metal particulates have been cut by around 90 per cent over the past 25 years, according to Laurentian University.

Because of that monumental shift, the city’s towering, landmark super stack chimney is no longer needed, and is in the process of being torn down.

“I'd say within five years those iconic stacks are going to be demolished and the skyline of Sudbury will forever look different,” says Schmalz.

For lifelong residents like Astgen, the evolution of losing the major landmark is bittersweet.

“It will take a lot of adjusting to the new scenery,” she says. “It is a good thing, but it's going to be sad to see it go, for sure.”

The change from the heavy smog decades ago to a cleaner, more efficient industry and a healthier environment, is another thing locals know — and want the rest of the country to hear about. It’s part of a larger, ongoing transformation of Sudbury’s image, its skyline and its downtown. PCL’s Northern Ontario office is proud of its role, partnering with city stakeholders to clean up Sudbury’s air, enhance the City’s brand and protect its reputation.

“We've gone from acid rain and a lack of trees in the city core, to a city in harmony with nature,” says Franklin.

PCL works in every region in Canada, across the United States and in Australia. But in each office and for each project, local knowledge and local passion are the driving forces. From urban metropolitan areas to small towns, PCL is proud to build the communities in which its people live, work and play, united by a shared purpose: building a better future, together. 

According to Paul Franklin, no matter how big the company gets, the Sudbury team will always be locally rooted and committed to Northern Ontario. They aren't just creating buildings and infrastructure; they’re helping shape the place they call home.

“There is a lot for us to be proud of. It is a beautiful area. We have a lot of good things going for us and a lot of good people live here.”