THEBACHA/FORT SMITH
When Craig Browne drives around Fort Smith, his sightseeing is probably not the same as everyone else.
Craig Browne, the president and majority owner of C.A.B. Construction Ltd. in Fort Smith, stands outside the Fort Smith Health Centre, which his company is renovating. - Paul Bickford/NNSL photo |
That's because Browne is president and majority owner of C.A.B. Construction Ltd., which has built or renovated a number of structures in the community.
"I like to think I've had a good impact here, a positive impact," he said.
His company's construction projects over the years have included the Recreation Centre and a swimming pool, and an extension at Northern Lights Special Care Home, not to mention numerous houses. His renovation projects included the airport terminal, Joseph Burr Tyrrell School, Trailcross Treatment Centre and Northern Lights.
Browne, who was born in Victoria, B.C., moved to Yellowknife in 1984 and worked for Clark Builders until 1996, starting as a carpenter and becoming a site superintendent and estimator.
The 56-year-old is a carpenter by trade.
"I've been in this business since I graduated from high school in 1974 and my father had a construction company, also," he said.
Browne first came to Fort Smith in 1993 to add an extension onto Aurora College for Clark Builders.
"I came back and really started my own business in 1996 and built the Rec Centre for the town," he said.
Browne said he has never looked back since, although he has returned to Yellowknife a couple of times for projects, including constructing Weledeh Catholic School for Clark Builders.
With his own company, he has also built one of the phases of the Aven Manor seniors facility in Yellowknife and a school in Ndilo, plus worked on projects in Fort Simpson and Fort Resolution.
Browne noted that, as an NWT company, C.A.B. Construction helps the economy of Fort Smith more than out-of-town companies that used to do many projects in the community.
"The profits that I'm making I'm reinvesting in the community," he said.
For example, he has purchased the Portage Building, which was damaged by fire in 2006, and will be renovating it into an office building.
"You won't recognize it when I'm done," Browne said. "It's actually with the architect right now. They're coming up with a new scheme, because it's kind of a focal point of the community and I'd really like to do something really nice there."
Right now, C.A.B. Construction's major project is the $23-million ongoing renovation of the Fort Smith Health Centre.
"I think when you see this hospital all finished, you're going to be pretty impressed with it all," Browne said. "I think it's going to be a real asset for the community in the end. It's been a struggle. We've been working there two years now. It's had lots of pains, but I think in the end, the community will be really happy."
The target completion date is late this year or early 2014.
The main challenge with the project has been just trying to renovate a building with it fully occupied as a hospital, Browne said.
That includes depressurizing construction areas so that air and dust cannot migrate into other areas of the health centre.
Browne said the renovation and reconfiguring of the health centre will make it more efficient.
"Obviously, the building was built in the '70s. I mean things change," he said. "They had an operating room, but they don't do operations in Fort Smith anymore. That's obviously been removed and different things have gone into the building. There's a dialysis room. There was a small room, but this is a full dialysis room."
Browne said he has a vested interest in the project. "I will use the facility. My family will use the facility. My granddaughter has been born in the facility."
Last fall, he also purchased the building which housed the now-ended Western Arctic Leadership Program. During the health centre renovation, the clinic and some administration offices will be temporarily moved there.
Brown said he takes pride in his work. "Of course, I do. It's my life."
As for why he is good at his business, he explained, "I'm pretty fussy. I can be pretty demanding."
His company, which employs between 20 and 50 people depending on the season and the project, pays attention to details, works out problems and makes sure things are functional, he added.
Browne said he is not retiring anytime soon, but there is a plan for his company to go to his son Michael Browne, who is a carpenter and already owns a small interest in the business.
"That's our succession plan," Browne said. "He's going to eventually take over ... I mean eventually I want to slow down."
