Lodge life: a look at Coastal GasLink’s workforce accommodations
In addition to constructing the 670-kilometre pipeline that will transport natural gas from Dawson Creek to Kitimat, B.C., Coastal GasLink is committed to building a legacy of safety and respect – and that extends into our workforce accommodation sites.
For the nearly 2,500 women and men projected to be working on site at peak construction, workforce accommodations have been designed to ensure a positive experience for workers and nearby communities.
“It’s like a little town. You have the recreation area, the eating area, even amenities like the right wifi so you can talk with your family at night,” says Michael Gibb, Coastal GasLink Director of Health, Safety and Security. “It’s all about building a community where everyone is safe and their needs are met while they work on the project.”
To do that, we work closely with neighbouring businesses and Indigenous groups to provide economic opportunities to them, with all our workforce accommodations delivered by Indigenous-partnered businesses.
From the creation of the lodges, to the nutritious meals served within and the 24-hour on-site security, all services at our workforce accommodations are delivered by the people who make up the communities surrounding Coastal GasLink. Learn more from West Moberly First Nation and Black Diamond Cygnus at the opening of Sukunka Lodge.
Creating a safe, comfortable home away from home.
Watch and learn more about Coastal GasLink's workforce accommodations.
At Coastal GasLink, safety for our workers and the local community is our number one priority.
Following extensive engagement, we strategically plan and place our lodges based on several factors, including self-sustainment to avoid strain on neighbouring communities, mitigating environmental and ecological impacts and reducing travel risks for our employees and the public nearby.
The work currently being done on the Coastal GasLink pipeline is situated in extremely mountainous terrain; in most cases, it’s an hour’s drive away from the closest communities.
For employees and contractors, travelling that distance to get to the accommodations, followed by another 40 minutes along a winding, slippery road to get to the right-of-way, poses several significant safety concerns.
”We have installed in-vehicle monitoring systems to ensure contractor vehicles are being driven safely on public roads, as well as participating in safety observation programs where we get feedback from front-line workers about safety in their work areas,” adds Gibb.
Housing everyone on-site allows the Coastal GasLink workforce to avoid the stress of transportation and commuting, and focus only on what’s important to them after a long day’s work – a nourishing meal, restorative workout, moments of peace and quiet, and fostering relationships with their newly found friends.
That sense of belonging also helps steward a shared sense of safety, explains Sarah Dickie, Indigenous Engagement Lead for Coastal GasLink.
“When people get to know each other and they notice something unsafe, they’re more likely to communicate it.”
Learn more
For more information about our workforce accommodations, read our fact sheet.