Bishop's Falls company stripped of contract to build tomb of the unknowns in St. John's
Government officials are scrambling to find an alternate supplier after a Bishop's Falls stone fabrication company was stripped of a prestigious contract to build a tomb of the unknowns at the Newfoundland National War Memorial in St. John's.
But despite the setback, Infrastructure Minister John Abbott is guaranteeing that the project will be ready for the 100th anniversary and re-dedication of the memorial on July 1.
"Absolutely. We have no choice," Abbott said. "We will pull out all the stops to make sure that that is done. That's our commitment."
The contract includes the tomb construction and installation at the war memorial in St. John's. It's the centrepiece of a $6-million refurbishment of the Newfoundland National War Memorial, in the heart of downtown St. John's.
As part of the project, an unknown soldier from Newfoundland and Labrador who fell in battle during the First World War and is buried in northern France will be exhumed and returned to St. John's. The soldier's remains will be interred in the tomb during a historic ceremony on July 1, 2024, which is the 100th anniversary of the unveiling of the memorial.
Abbott confirmed to CBC News on Wednesday that the $105,000 contract with Ocean Floor Granite was terminated because the company is not able to finish the project.
"We have started to seek out other suppliers … and the project as a result will be back on track," he said.
Ocean Floor owner Mark Brace said he learned of the contract cancellation when contacted by CBC News.
"It's a very big insult to Newfoundlanders and all the veterans," Brace said. He also said he doubts that any new supplier will be able to meet the timelines for the project.
"I don't believe that there's going to be a tomb," he said.
But Abbott said officials are in contact with stone specialists in other parts of Canada.
"We'll be moving forward very shortly with a new supplier."
This is a drawing of the tomb of the unknowns, which will be established next July at the war memorial. (Government of Newfoundland and Labrador)
Meanwhile, Brace is threatening legal action, saying he's faced repeated obstacles from government officials.
"It just goes to show you that no matter what you tackle … they're going to make it very difficult," he said.
Brace established Ocean Floor Granite six years ago and has been struggling to revive a business that had been dormant for years.
Not connected to the grid
The stone fabrication plant is no longer connected to the provincial power grid because thieves stripped away important electrical infrastructure in order to access the valuable copper. So Brace was powering his plant with an industrial generator.
In April, the company was awarded the contract to build the tomb, with the vault made from Newfoundland black granite — known as black gabbro — sourced from the company's quarry at Jumper's Brook, just outside Bishop's Falls. The cover was to be made from a Labradorite stone known as "Blue Eyes," which would ensure the tomb comprises stone from both Newfoundland and Labrador.
Brace spent weeks testing various blocks of gabbro for the vault. He said one of the blocks has been cut to size and polished and is now is the possession of a Gambo company that specializes in engraving. He said the vault is still a solid block.
He said he slept many nights at the plant over the summer to deter thieves from interrupting work on the tomb project.
Brace also said he subcontracted a company in Italy to fabricate the tomb's cover because of the complex cuts required. He said the cover is ready for shipment from Italy.
A few months ago, the department advanced the company a progress payment of more than $30,000 for tomb and engraving samples, but those samples were never delivered, said Abbott.
"We don't have any product," he said.
This fall, meanwhile, an inspector from the Department of Digital Government and Service N.L. visited the plant and issued a stop work order.
In a statement, the department said the plant does not meet modern electrical standards.
"Upgrades to comply with the Canadian Electrical Code were required and must be completed by a certified electrical contractor. A building plan design, developed and stamped by an engineer or architect, was also required and needed to be submitted to the department for review," the statement reads.
Abbott felt Brace 'could deliver'
Brace said government officials were aware he was using a generator before awarding the contract. When asked about the decision to award such an important commission to an upstart company without a firm power source, Abbott said the department was keen on hiring a local supplier and felt Brace "could deliver."
The war memorial is undergoing a significant refurbishment ahead of the 100th anniversary of the national historic site on July 1. The remains of an unidentified Royal Newfoundland Regiment soldier who died in northern France during the First World War will be interred next summer in the tomb. (Katie Breen/CBC)
But after another department of the government shut down Brace's operation, Abbott said, there was no choice but terminate the contract.
"We're at a point where time is not on our side to continue with that contract," Abbott said.
Brace said he could have finished the project if he had been allowed to continuing operating the generator or if the provincial government had paid the cost of reconnecting his plant to the power grid.
"I'm not allowed to finish a project the way they allowed me to start it, so I think it's time for the government to really step up and wake up for their people" Brace said.
The war memorial restoration project is a partnership between all three levels of government, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, and the Royal Canadian Legion, NL Command.
Legion spokesman Gary Browne declined to comment, saying it was a "contractual issue" between the province and a private company.
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