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Golder Associates
Classification: Geo Environmental Engineering
Across the globe, companies and governments are creating the world of tomorrow. They are building vital infrastructure, developing projects, restoring landscapes and renewing their economies with sustainability in mind.
Golder Associates strives to be the most respected global company providing consulting, design, and construction services in earth, environment, and related areas of energy through technical excellence, innovative solutions and award winning client service. Today, their clients span the world's major economic drivers: Oil and Gas, Mining, Manufacturing, Power, Transportation and more. Employee owned since being founded in 1960, their 7,000 people, operating from 160 offices worldwide, deliver deep technical understanding, cross-disciplinary thinking and a passion to help Golder's clients succeed.
Golder was founded in 1960 in Toronto by Dr. Hugh Golder (who was a geotechnical engineer from England). The company celebrated its 50th anniversary last year. The Ottawa office opened its doors in 1967 and is now 44 years old. They continue to grow with more than 170 staff in our Ottawa office which also includes satellite offices in Gatineau, QC and Kingston, ON. Golder's is an engineering consulting company specializing in solutions related to soil, groundwater and air.
At last week's onsite, Sully started the evening's presentation by introducing Golder and its services to the OXA members in attendance and their guests. He then went on to outline the suite of service disciplines that members would be hearing about during the presentation including some of the larger projects within the City of Ottawa that Golder is currently working on and some of the other projects currently being worked on by Golder's archaeology group. Sully rounded out his portion of the presentation by introducing his colleagues who would be disucssing their projects with OXA members.
Terry Nicholas (Principal) - Ottawa Light Rail Transit (OLRT) - Geotechnical Project
Terry is the discipline lead for the geotechnical group. They were responsible for digging bore holes along the proposed route of the Light Rail system. In total, Golder dug 250 boreholes some more than 60 metres deep and then did soil and rock sample tests on each hole.
Gino Dalla Coletta (Associate) - Lebreton Flats - Phase II Environmental Site Assessment and soil washing techniques
This project was commissioned by the NCC for the Remediation of the LeBreton Flats areas. The project was necessary due to the fire that went through the area leaving the ground contaminated with ash and other contaminants. The area is slated for redevelopment for residential and retail infrastructure.
James Crichton (EHS Discipline Leader) - Wellington Building Interior Demolition and Rebuild (asbestos, mould, lead and coal tar removal)
The Wellington Building required a total interior demolition due to the number of dangerous contaminants, such as lead paint and asbestos, which would become exposed during the renovation of the building's interior. James' team is responsible for making sure that the demolition crew is not exposed to the contaminants as they are removed from the building.
Hugh Daechsel (Principal and Leader of the Archaeology Group) - Lebreton Flats and Deloro Mine
Hugh took some time to discuss the archaeological services offered at Golder Associates. He described an archaeological investigation undertaken by his team at the Deloro Mine site located off highway 7. The Deloro Mine site was one of the first areas where gold was mined in Ontario. After years of operation, the area is highly contaminated with arsenic. Hugh also discussed the archaeological dig at LeBreton flats that uncovered the foundation of the St. Famille school which burned down during a fire that swept through LeBreton Flats. Several items were uncovered during that dig including slate boards for writing, pencils, ink bottles and crosses.
Brad Drouin - Mattawa Cemetery
The archaeological dig at the Mattawa Cemetery uncovered 10 individual coffins as well as human remains. It also uncovered the foundation of the rector's house that burned down as well as the church.
Brandi Lockhart - Underwater Archaeology
Brandy specializes in underwater archaeology and discussed the various methods used to perform underwater archaeology including side scan sonar and its uses to Golder's clients. Some of the underwater sites that can be found are aboriginal sites, towns and villages, airplanes and shipwrecks.
Helen Moore - Material Culturals Analysis
Artifacts brought in from different dig sites are given to Helen and she catalogues them and then looks at the details to try and discover the story behind the object. She brought in several artifacts that had been uncovered throughout the Ottawa area including ink bottles, forks, arrow heads, medicine bottles, etc.
To learn more about Golder Associates and the services provide visit their website www.golder.com. To find out more about the Golder projects above or how Golder Associates might be able to help you, contact Sully Sullivan at (613) 880-4595. | 
