Bell Canada names Bird Construction and Regina architect for $1.7B Saskatchewan data centre
Bell Canada has selected Bird Construction as lead contractor and Alton Tangedal Architect Ltd. as the architectural firm for its 300-megawatt AI data centre under construction south of Regina in the Rural Municipality of Sherwood.
Bird Construction, founded in Moose Jaw in 1920, will oversee the project and serve as Bell's "preferred construction partner on potential future AI data centres" as part of the company's national AI Fabric venture. Alton Tangedal Architect, based in Regina, will ensure the facility meets safety and technical requirements.
Construction began on April 21 at the site. The announcement adds to eight companies Bell named in late April, seven of which are headquartered or have offices in Saskatchewan.
Local workforce and investment terms
Bird Construction will focus on local and Indigenous workforce participation. George Gordon Developments, the economic development arm of George Gordon First Nation, will provide site services as a project partner.
Bell has agreed to invest as much as $136.5 million into Bird Construction over the next five years. The arrangement includes warrants for Bird to issue Bell the right to purchase up to 2.625 million shares at $52 per share, with 750,000 shares contingent on delivery of the Sherwood facility. These warrants are subject to TSX approval.
Broader AI data centre expansion
The Saskatchewan facility is one of seven AI data centres Bell has announced. Six are planned for British Columbia, with additional facilities to be planned across the country.
The project has faced opposition from some community members citing environmental impact, noise, and power usage concerns. Two protests and several online petitions have circulated since February.
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