The Elk Valley Field House Society has selected Elevate Construction of Lethbridge, Alta., to build the new Fernie Field House, a major milestone for the long-awaited community recreation facility planned next to the Fernie Aquatic Centre.

The society has awarded the construction contract to Elevate Construction, which will also serve as project manager throughout the build.

“We would like to thank the Elk Valley Field House Society for selecting Elevate Construction to be part of their exciting new project,” said Blayne Janssens, President and Partner of Elevate Construction.

The selection follows a competitive bidding process involving five construction companies.

“We had five companies bid on the project and, in the end, Elevate Construction provided us, and the community, with the best bang for the buck,” said Aysha Haines, spokesperson for the Elk Valley Field House Society.

Elevate Construction Partners Inc. specializes in design-build projects in the commercial, industrial and agricultural sectors. The company provides services ranging from planning and design through construction, project implementation, quality control and post-project follow-up.

Its portfolio includes projects ranging from facility repairs and upgrades to large-scale, multi-million-dollar developments across Western Canada.

“With our primary office based out of Lethbridge, Alberta, and over 30 team members, we are confident that we have the capacity to exceed expectations and produce deliverables to the highest standard on this project,” the company said in a statement.

“Our consistent volume of work exceeding 20 current projects throughout Alberta, Saskatchewan, British Columbia and the Northwest Territories is a testament to our experience and capability.”

The company also emphasized its commitment to working with local organizations, consultants, trades and suppliers whenever possible.

“We are committed to investing in local communities and charities through both financial support and volunteer contributions, as well as hiring local workforces where applicable,” the statement said.

Over the past month, Elevate Construction and the Elk Valley Field House Society have been working to finalize the architectural and engineering plans for the facility.

A draft building permit application has now been submitted to the City of Fernie, marking another step toward construction of the new field house.

Once completed, the Fernie Field House will provide year-round indoor recreation space for residents and sports groups throughout the Elk Valley.