BOMA CALGARY NEWS SUMMER 2009

Page 1 - Offi ce Market Forecasts: True or False? | Page 3 - President’s Message | Page 4 - A Refreshing Outlook for Transportation Page 5 - Conservative Territory | Page 6 - Who’s Who in the Zoo! | Page 8 - Money Down the Drain | Page 10 - David Parker Offi ce Market Forecasts: True or False?

By Sandy McNair and Kevin Antaya, Altus InSite

he continuing economic downturn has generated absorption that began to reverse as new supply began to many doom-and-gloom forecasts, and Canada’s ma- be completed. It should also be noted that current sublet Tjor downtown offi ce markets have not been immune levels are well below the historic average. from grim forecasts. Vancouver has seen a similar, but less dramatic, shift Recent reports of dramatic increases in the amount of from sublet rates which hovered around two per cent in sublet available space in Vancouver, Calgary and Toronto 2004, shrank to virtually zero in 2007 and now approach may not tell the whole story, and without historical con- the levels of late 2004. A lack of signifi cant new supply, text may, in fact, be misleading.

SUBLET SPACE SOARING? In Calgary, the amount of sublet space across the city has increased by over 500,000 square feet since the be- ginning of the year and now stands at around 1.1 million square feet. How- ever, this is almost exactly the same amount of sublet space that was avail- able in late 2004, immediately prior to the beginning of three years of space

BOMA Calgary News 1 especially in the downtown market, In Toronto, the difference is even BOMA Calgary News is a major factor in softening the im- more dramatic, with the amount of pact of reduced demand. space in the same fi ve-year period BOMA Calgary News is a co-publication of On the surface, it may seem that beginning in 2007 being equal to less BOMA Calgary and Business in Calgary. the amount of sublet in Toronto is than 25 per cent of the total space Business in Calgary rising more slowly, but Canada’s larg- added to the Toronto market during 1025, 101 - 6 Ave. SW, Calgary, AB T2P 3P4 est offi ce market has historically had the prior cyclical peak between 1988 4ELs&AX Email: [email protected] higher levels of sublet, with the rate and 1992. Web: www.businessincalgary.com over the past fi ve years ranging from This is not to say that Calgary 1.5 per cent to 2.5 per cent. Even and Toronto will be immune from BOMA Calgary with a relatively large increase since downward pressure on rents and 120, 4954 Richard Road SW, Calgary, AB T3E 6L1 the beginning of the year, sublet now an increased focus by tenants on %MAILINFO BOMACAs7EBWWWBOMACA stands at around 2.0 per cent. This reducing operating expenses in a re- 4EL s&AX  is close to the historic average, but covering economy. CHAIR well below the peak of almost 3.0 What is very likely is that the new Paul Gauthier, Fujitec per cent in 2003. towers in both cities will be leased up at the expense of existing stock MEMBERS and that each market and sub-mar- Blair Carbert, Stones Carbert Waite LLP NEW SUPPLY SNAPSHOT Michael Kehoe, Fairfi eld Commercial Both Toronto and Calgary currently ket has its own story and dynamics, Miles Durrie, Calgary Herald have relatively large amounts of new with the winners and losers yet to be Carol Lewis, Calgary Herald supply underway, with a total of al- determined. Darlene Davis, Calgary Herald most 14 million square feet currently James Harvie, TELUS Convention Centre under construction (see table oppo- Altus InSite’s mission is to ac- Offi cers site). At the time many of these new celerate the differentiation of projects were announced, new supply commercial real estate offerings PRESIDENT in both markets had been moderate and services by establishing credible Guy Priddle, MBA, RPA, BLJC Facility Management and the outlook for demand was criteria and processes that identify, positive. Put into perspective, the measure, improve, recognize and re- VICE PRESIDENT/PRESIDENT-ELECT Peter MacHardy, GWL Realty Advisors Inc. amount of new supply in Calgary for ward the performance of buildings, the fi ve-year period starting in 2007 owners, managers, occupants and 2ND VICE PRESIDENT is about half of the amount that was their advisers, suppliers and service $ON&AIRGRIEVE 0ARK Bentall LP added during the prior cyclical peak providers. For more information, SECRETARY TREASURER between 1979 and 1983. please visit altusinsite.com. Tom Sullivan, GWL Realty Advisors Inc. PAST-PRESIDENT Wendy Cardell, The Cadillac Fairview Corp. Ltd. EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT NEW SUPPLY SNAPSHOT William G. R. Partridge, CAE TOTAL UNDER TOTAL Directors PRE-LEASED Chris Howard, Howco Realty Advisors CONSTRUCTION AVAILABLE Domenic Mazzocchi, 20 Vic Management Inc. AREA AREA AREA Gerry Jobagy, Hopewell Real Estate Services (sf) Glen Kitteringham, Brookfield Properties Corporation (sf) (sf) Lee Thiessen, Altus Group Michael Kehoe, Fairfield Commercial Real Estate &RED%DWARDS Servpro Cleaning TORONTO 6,431,047 4,103,552 2,327,495

The Building Owners and Managers Association of Calgary publishes BOMA Calgary News quarterly. For advertising CALGARY 7,387,240 4,385,511 3,001,729 rates and information contact Business in Calgary. Publication of advertising should not be deemed as endorsement by BOMA Calgary. The publisher reserves the right in its sole and absolute discretion to reject any advertising at any time submitted by any party. Material contained herein does not necessarily refl ect the opinion of BOMA Calgary, its members or its staff.

© 2009 by BOMA Calgary. Printed in Canada.

2 BOMA Calgary News PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Harbinger of Things to Come

By Guy Priddle, MBA, President

s we near the end of the second for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection quarter of 2009, it’s interesting essentially as a result of their fi nancing Ato refl ect on the local, region- structure. Following a major acquisition al and global economic situations. For in 2004, GGP was carrying signifi cant much of 2008, as the United States and short-term debt that it could not ser- the rest of the world sank deeper into vice because of the illiquid nature of recession, we felt that Canada was go- the debt. It is a scenario that is eerily ing to remain largely immune to the similar to that which caused the fall of effects. That belief was much more Olympia & York – positive income gen- tangible in Alberta, and to some de- eration from high-quality properties gree remains so. will not protect against bankruptcy if It was very encouraging to hear that the debt service obligations cannot be in the internal annual reports of some met due to a lack of available cash. major companies that, in spite of the More signifi cant though is the deepening recession, they would do pending exposure that resides in the all they could to retain staff. They commercial mortgage sector. The believed that although the recession Economist refers to an estimate of will cost companies some profi t mar- Foresight Analytics, a research group, gin, preserving that margin in part by which suggests almost USD$600 bil- eliminating people was short sighted. lion of commercial mortgages will be The diffi culty in fi nding quality people maturing in the U.S. alone between to fi ll vacancies over the past three 2009 and 2011. As the residential mar- to fi ve years, again particularly in the ket suffered through an adjustment West, was being considered against the in loan-to-value ratios, so too will the potential reduction in profi ts. Com- commercial market. Combined with a panies were committing to retaining fall in prices (value), commercial prop- people through the tough economic erties are likely to face a refi nancing times, taking a longer view of their crisis that will require investors to sig- investment in human capital and not nifi cantly increase their own capital to panicking. achieve any level of refi nancing. On the face of it the commitment Financing structures and bank regu- to people over profi ts is laudable. lations are often observed to be quite That notwithstanding, it will inevita- different in Canada than in the U.S., bly get another look, particularly if a fact that has not been lost on Cana- ENERGY the recession digs deeper. At times it dians throughout the sub-prime and is comforting to look at the positive credit crises. Those regulations have ENVIRONMENT indicators: oil at +$52 and trending – arguably insulated our economy to slowly – upwards; the Canadian dollar some degree from the most severe SOLUTIONS at + USF$0.82, and trending upwards; impacts of the recession. Even so, in natural gas at – well, at least holding Canada the forecast for 2009 calls for a its own at $4; the Alberta and Sas- contraction in real GDP, a government katchewan economies projecting real defi cit of almost three per cent of GDP, GDP growth over the next couple of cuts in the central bank rate through years in spite of the recession. the fi rst half of 2010, weak exchange From an article in a recent edition rates and reduced external demand of The Economist1, though, the plight for Canadian goods and services. of General Growth Properties (GGP) If the experience of General Growth in the United States carries particular Properties is at all a harbinger of things signifi cance for our industry. GGP is the to come, we may all need to prepare second largest owner of retail malls in for an interesting period in the history the U.S. and in April were forced to fi le of our industry! 1‘Commercial Break – Disaster looms in yet another asset class’; April 23rd 2009 BOMA Calgary News 3 EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT’S REPORT

A Refreshing Outlook for Transportation By William Partridge, CAE, Executive Vice-President

had the pleasure to attend a out exception a perfectly designed seem, extends from a deeply-embed- symposium on a regional transpor- and functional network … for a city ded corporate philosophy within the Itation plan that was sponsored by of 400,000! Sarcasm aside, that’s City of Calgary itself. For example, all the Calgary Regional Partnership. The the point. Calgary is chronically the presenters at the Regional Part- partnership is a collaborative group under-resourced with necessary in- nership Symposium placed a strong of rural municipalities surrounding frastructure. The books are littered emphasis on customer service. The the city, and the city itself. There with policies that are so outdated speaker from the City barely men- was a good deal of interesting and and inappropriate they don’t deserve tioned customer service at all. The thought-provoking information pre- a mention. Plan It document, that $6.3 million sented, especially from the San Diego For those insomniacs who have compendium of views of the future, experience. read the hundreds of pages in three in all its thousands and thousands of With tongue fi rmly planted in volumes of the draft transportation words, mentions customer service cheek, I don’t know what all the fuss and land use documents also known but once. This tends to reinforce the is about concerning transportation as Plan It, and the hundreds more in perceptions that the managers of Cal- issues and Calgary Transit in particu- background studies, they can take lit- gary Transit are running the system lar. There aren’t any real problems tle comfort that meaningful solutions for themselves and not for the cus- with Calgary’s roads, highways and are anywhere near short-term imple- tomer. Something clearly needs to be byways, buses and trains. It is with- mentation. The problem, it would fi xed and soon. The spokesman from San Diego shared with the group at the sympo- Make every day sium the fi ndings of $500,000 worth of customer research. There were sOver 45 Years of Service three principal fi ndings: sComprehensive Janitorial Services • I want to get from “A” to “B”. sCustom Cleaning Programs • I want to get there quickly and sPost Construction don’t make me wait. Cleaning • I want to feel good about the sOne Time & Specialty experience. Cleaning Services

sOver 700 Trained & Uniformed Staff Calgary seems to do the opposite if the griping from its customers is ac- sDedicated Client Care & Support Teams curate. Our city is long overdue for a sQuality customer-centric transportation sys- Assurance Inspections tem. San Diego seems to have got it. sHealth & Safety Programs Unfortunately it is doubtful that Plan sCOR Certified It will do it for us. sCertified Green Housekeeping Programs 403 sEnvironmentally After the departure of a disgruntled Friendly Cleaning Products 520.7777 hotel guest at Fawlty Towers: sFree On-Site Estimates WWW. SERVPROCANADA. COM [email protected] sFully Insured & Bonded “Another satisfi ed customer. 6023-4 Street SE sSatisfaction Guaranteed We should get him stuffed!” THE ONE TO KNOW FOR ALL YOUR CLEANING NEEDS – John Cleese, Fawlty Towers Janitorial U Post Construction U Specialty U Maid Services U Carpet Cleaning Duct & Furnace Cleaning U Disaster Restoration U Hi-Rise Window Cleaning

4 BOMA Calgary News Conservative Territory* By Robert Henderson, CORE Database

*Values reported in this article are for the land value exclusive of structures on them. Names in [] are the legal names.

he rivers draining from the as collateral for any outstanding re- fi rst phase of ATCO’s building, again mountains eastward to Hudson mainder until the Indians could come on 8th Street, at 11th [Smith] Avenue, T Bay greatly infl uenced devel- in with more furs. The result was the was reported to sell for $47,000,000. opment in the Canadian West. The Siksika would attempt to destroy any February saw the city sell its free- Assiniboine comes out of south cen- Canadien trading post established in hold land title on the Eau Claire tral Saskatchewan and then turns their domain. The Siksika did respect Market to the leaseholder for $42.62/ eastward to the Red River. The South the traders from Hudson’s Bay as they sqft with the prospect of a major re- Saskatchewan rises in the Crowsnest traded fairly and did not use alcohol development. The Webster Gallery on area, absorbs the Bow and Red Deer in the negotiations. The insular nature 11th [Smith] Avenue near 8th Street before running north through central of the Hudson’s Bay Company, how- sold for $355/sqft while one of the Saskatchewan. The North Saskatche- ever, could not conceive at the time city’s more controversial purchases, wan starts at the foot of the Columbia of the immensity of the territory they the Cecil Hotel just north of city hall, Icefi eld, travels across the northern had been granted, but others could. was purchased for $250/sqft. Set edge of the Prairies, joining the South The Seven Years’ War, ending in 1763, against the Eau Claire sale, the city Saskatchewan before draining into had established British control of added $2,000,000 to their coffers. Lake Winnipeg which itself is drained North America. The demobilized Brit- The Gaslight/Gateway Midtown by the Nelson. The area was well ish soldiers, along with Canadiens not project on 10th [Pacifi c] Avenue at served by this network of rivers and wishing to be part of the new regime, 4th [Ross] Street SW went through should have been home to numerous set out in scores to establish posts the court in December 2008 and was trading establishments, but this was along the North Saskatchewan. This ordered sold with the transfer com- not the case. These plains were domi- was Cree territory and the Cree were ing in March 2009 to Pointe of View nated by the Siksika (Blackfoot) who very amenable to trade. Written re- for a reported $526/sqft while the were hostile to intrusions on their cords of these early traders have city shuffl ed East Village properties territory. not survived and it is highly unlikely between itself and the Calgary Mu- Trading relations started with ear- that any of these traders penetrated nicipal Land Corporation. The City’s ly Canadien traders coming up the very far into Siksika territory. The Land Corporation also purchased the Great Lakes from Montreal, but their area around Calgary, deep in Siksika Dusty’s/Coyote’s/Cowboys site on business tactics did not impress the territory, was far from anyone’s con- 11th [Smith] Avenue at 4th [Dewd- Siksika. The Canadien traders would sciousness and certainly unknown to ney] Street SE for $8,000,000 which strike a hard bargain for the furs and anyone’s recollection, remaining in was $2,000,000 above the estimated then, to celebrate the deal, bring out that state for another century. value thus erasing the gains made in the brandy, getting the Indians intoxi- What was once Siksika land is now the previous month. Lastly, a strata cated and taking back the goods they the busy city. January saw a small lot from the Arriva project at 12th had received to pay for the brandy. shop on 8th Street at 15th Avenue re- [van Horne] Avenue was sold for Indian women would also be taken ported to sell for $240/sqft while the $19,300,000. D.A. Watt Consulting is a fully integrated professional surveying and engineering consulting practice. ✔ BOMA certifi ed ✔ Professional surveyors ✔ More than 25 years of measurement experience ✔ Responsive, reliable and competitive service ✔ Professional liability insurance

For all your fl oor measurement needs, call us fi rst Phone: 403-569-8702 s E-mail: [email protected] s www.dawatt.com

BOMA Calgary News 5 Who’s Who in the Zoo!

BOMA BESt is the next evolution of BOMA Canada’s Go Green program. BESt stands for Building Environmental Standards. Welcome these new The latest to be certifi ed as BOMA BESt: Sovereign Centre, Tonko Realty Advisors, Level 1 BOMA members: 505 Third Street SW, Morguard Investments, Level 2 Canterra Tower, Oxford Properties Group, Level 3 • Ron Fiell, NewWest Enterprise Property Group • Keith Beggs, NewWest Enterprise Property Group • Sandy Stephenson, OMNI Facility Services Inc. • Katie Webber, Remington Development Corporation • JoAnne Teed, Universal Flooring Systems Ltd. • Mark Macgillivray, CCR Energy Services • Bob Malone, McCrums Offi ce Furnishings • Ilya Pengu, Royal Roofi ng Ltd. • Audrey Hawthorne, Penn West Energy Guy Priddle, President presents Frank Giugovaz of Morguard Investments Ltd. • Doug Morton, The University of Calgary with the BOMA BESt Level 2 Certifi cate • Larry Fradette, SNC Lavalin Profac for 505 Third St SW. • Neil Noronha, OMNI Facility Services Inc. • Jean Lekopoy, Maple Leaf Property Management • Dan Marston, The Diebold Company of Canada • Helen Boden, Ronmor Holdings Inc. • Sue-Ann Wearmouth, BCMP Architects Inc. • Paul O’Connor, Rona • Michael Kehoe, Fairfi eld Commercial Real Estate Inc. • Mike Podovinnikoff, Oxford Properties Group Guy Priddle, President presents Stacey Todd Hirsch of ATB Financial gives the Guy Priddle, President presents Mike Petropoulos, Deanna Gabrielson, Jack economic perspective at the March Podovinnikoff, Oxford Properties Group, • Roy Doyle Baker, Spartan Controls Schmaltz, and Andy Stegmann of Tonko BOMA Luncheon. with a BOMA BESt Level 3 Certifi cate for Realty Advisors with their BOMA BESt Canterra Tower. Level 1 Certifi cate for Sovereign Centre. ARTE ROOFING & CONSTRUCTION INC.

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6 BOMA Calgary News Celebrating Excellence 2009

BOMA Calgary celebrated building and management excellence with their Celebrating Excellence Awards on May 6 at the Westin Hotel. This awards program sets the standards in the industry and recognizes excellence in property and facility management. Certifi cation ac- knowledges performance quality and the people behind it. BOMA Calgary is pleased to announce the winners of the Pinnacle, EARTH and TOBY Awards! Thank you to our judging teams! Congratulations to the 2009 Winners!

TOBY – Renovated Building: Calgary Place, Oxford Properties Group

Pinnacle Award - Above & Beyond: SNC Lavalin Nexacor Pinnacle Award - Customer Service: Bentall LP Pinnacle Award - Innovation: Brookfi eld Properties

Commercial WATTS MECHANICAL Mechanical Services Ltd Construction

Commercial WATTS BUILDING Mechanical MAINTENANCE Maintenance & Service

Earth Award: Gulf Canada Square, GWL Realty Advisors PLUMBING BOILERS HVAC/R GAS CONTROLS SHEET METAL FIRE PROTECTION MEDICAL GAS SOLAR CO-GEN HIGH RISE NEW CONSTRUCTION TENANT IMPROVEMENT

Mechanical Contractors in the areas of commercial, industrial, contract & service, bid spec, and design build as required for any size of project. We can also provide value engineering due to the vast experience of our diverse team. Since 1981, TOBY – 100,000-249,000 sq ft: Bank of Nova Scotia Western Service Centre, Bentall LP we have completed over 4,100 projects.

Certifi cate of Environmental Excellence: BP Centre, Bentall LP 906-55th Ave NE T2E 6Y4 p 403-230-5655 24 Hour Service Thank you to the Sponsors of the 2009 f 403-230-5658 Call 403 230 5655 [email protected] Celebrating Excellence Awards

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BOMA Calgary News 7 Business Centre Offers Options for New Entrepreneurs by Trina Lo

ast shifts in the worldwide economy are changing how businesses think and operate. Many have taken a closer look at their operations only to realize they were simply spending more than necessary during the boom. Offi ce downsizing and Vlay-offs have been top-of-mind. It’s time for some fi nancial adjustments. But there is always a silver lining… If your organization If you don’t require a full-time offi ce, TEG offers part- has been looking at the books—you have realized how time packages that provide some time in the offi ce when costly running your own offi ce truly is. Administrative needed, or simply a proper business address for deliveries, salaries, leasing and running offi ce equipment; phone lines, mail and the ever important appearance of a downtown utilities, the list goes on. address. The times have also seen many lose their jobs only to Imagine being able to start your own business without realize positions in their fi elds are no longer abundant in any of the traditional offi ce set-up headache. Walk in with this market. This is the time of the entrepreneur. Every time your computer and personal fi les and start your business the economy goes through similar changes, new businesses calls that day. Priceless. are born. Tri Executive Group (TEG) is a high-tech, upscale business centre located on 11th avenue south west. It offers everything your own offi ce would and more – without the high overhead. Happy Client! My Stuff • 24/7 access to your securely locked offi ce • Free long distance in Canada and the US • Furnished offi ce • Free faxing from TEG’s fax line • Board room space with Smart Board • Copying, scanning and printing • High-speed and wireless internet • Ordering offi ce supplies at a discounted rate • Telephone, guest and courier reception • Telephone handset • Phone line with voice mail • Call forwarding • Free bike racks for the green folks • Secured underground parking available • Showers—yes showers! • A social and networking outlet for the soloprenuers • A kitchen where someone will get rid of the “fuzzy food” • One monthly bill for everything—what a time saver!

With every new business, support is required. Believe me, without assistance, starting a business is tough! Tri Executive Group offers some of the simplest things that make all the difference for small business owners. Just ME! having someone to receive an important package while you are with clients saves amazing amounts of stress.

Limited time offer: If you’ve recently been laid off and are thinking about starting your own business, Tri Executive Group is offering a free 1 week trial. Space is limited. Contact Tannas today for a no-pressure tour of YOUR new offi ce. 403-237-8253 [email protected]

Tri Executive Group 200, 708 - 11th Avenue SW, Calgary, AB 403-237-8285 | www.triexec.com Money Down the Drain

By Bob Poole, ExactET Systems Inc.

ost Canadians call it the country’s most valuable ter available for human consumption. A staggering 85 per resource. Others label it ‘Blue Gold.’ But call it cent of this one per cent is used for irrigation. It is estimat- Mwhat you like, there’s no denying our water sup- ed 60 per cent of the water used in landscape irrigation is ply is diminishing at an alarming rate. What is one of the wasted due to over-watering and ineffi cient watering. biggest culprits? Outdoor irrigation! But comparatively recent innovations in the irrigation Only one per cent of the global water supply is fresh wa- industry make it easier for business owners and managers to save water, money and human la- bour, something large water users such as golf courses and municipalities have Why Pour Money been doing for years. The Alberta Chapter of the Irrigation Down The Drain? Association offers the following tips:

• Consider ‘smart’ technology: Cli- mate or soil-moisture sensor-based controllers evaluate weather and/or soil moisture conditions and then cal- culate and automatically adjust the irrigation schedule to meet the specifi c needs of your landscape. Most current An easy add-on to convert your irrigation is run by pre-set timers. (E.g. they water three times a week even if current timer-based irrigation it has rained solid for several days.) into a highly efficient • Consider low-volume drip irrigation climate controlled system for plant beds: Install micro-irrigation for gardens, trees and shrubs to irrigate slowly and minimize evaporation, run- A powerful GREEN initiative off and over-spray. with a proven fast payback ... • Adjust sprinkler heads: Correct ob- structions that prevent sprinklers from typically two years or less distributing water evenly. • Inspect your system monthly: Check for leaks, broken or clogged heads, and OTHER BENEFITS INCLUDE: other problems. t Improved turf quality t Reduced carbon footprint • Adapt your watering schedule to t Reduced pesticide use t Healthier landscapes the weather and the season: Adjust the t Reduced fertilizer use t Run-off eliminated watering schedule regularly to conform Reduced operating costs Won’t water when it’s raining! to current weather conditions. t t • Water at the optimum time: Water when the sun is low or down, winds are calm and temperatures are cool (i.e. between the evening and early morn- ing) to reduce evaporation. • Water only when needed: Water- ing too much and too frequently results Phone: 403-242-6660 in shallow roots, weed growth, disease and fungus. Climate Controlled Irrig ation www.exactet.ca Smart controllers reduce outdoor Canada’s leader in climate controlled irrigation water use by monitoring and using in- formation about site conditions (such as soil moisture, rain, wind, slope, plant

BOMA Calgary News 9 type, etc.) and applying the right amount of water to main- tain healthy growing conditions. The City of Calgary is on the cutting edge of irrigation technology and uses the science of climate-based irrigation to reduce the time and costs associated with watering parks. Denis Gordeau, the city’s water management co-ordinator, says Calgary’s automated irrigation system uses an average fully of 44 per cent less water than traditional controllers.

Other benefi ts of ‘smart’ technology include: integrated • improved turf quality • reduced pesticide use tenant solutions • reduced staff costs • stronger and deeper roots • reduced carbon footprint • public recognition for going ‘green’ • supports BOMA BESt and LEED certifi cation • reduced fertilizer costs

Healthier landscapes are better landscapes with greener grass, fuller trees and brighter blooms. The best way to achieve healthier landscapes is to deliver the right amount of water when and where it is needed. Follow that rule and you will put money in your company’s bank account instead of pouring it down the drain.

Bob Poole is Vice President of ExactET Systems Inc.

Pandemic Preparedness

The problem with a crisis is that it lasts as long as our memory. Once the threat subsides, we return to a false state of security. As a result, when the next crisis arises many of us are not ready. The SARS outbreak in 2003 re- iterated the importance of the Boy Scouts’ motto, “Be Prepared.” Sadly not many of us are. The BOMA organiza- tions in Canada did take the whole matter of pandemics seriously and recognized that a massive outbreak was in- evitable. It was treated not as a matter of “if” but rather a question of “when.”

BOMA prepared the Pandemic Planning Guide for Com- mercial Buildings and made it available from a focused pandemic website (http://www.bomacanada-pandemic. ca/). Information is available in both offi cial languages. The Planning Guide is down-loadable. With the outbreak of the H1N1 fl u in Mexico, the work the Commercial Real Estate Industry undertook some time ago has renewed im- portance for the property management sector and more importantly for tenants in buildings. If you are a tenant in a BOMA member-managed building, chances are your landlord has already developed their own pandemic plan. But your company should also have its own plan and the BOMA Guide can assist with many of the aspects you need to consider. In any event, ask your landlord about their pandemic preparedness. You need to be prepared.

10 BOMA Calgary News WatertightWatertight ExpansionExpansion JointsJoints forfor AnyAny EnvironmentEnvironment

Water / Fire / Traffic NEW EMSHIELD DFR2 is a UL-certified 2-hour fire-rated traffic-durable primary seal for retrofit and new construction decks. It eliminates the need for fire-blankets, cover plates and other fire-stopping EMSHIELD materials. For joints from 1-inch to 4-inches. DFR2DFR2 Just Released – WFR2 2-hour fire-rated wall joint seal. Patent Pending

Chemical Resistant NEW CHEMSEAL is designed as a primary seal to be used in conditions where the seal is in contact with chemicals or chemical dilutions. A great solution in waste water treatment facilities, CHEMSEAL secondary containment, chlorinated water environments, pools, fountains and water parks.

Continuity of Seal NEW UNIVERSAL-90’s are EMSEAL’s patent-pending factory-fabricated 90°units which eliminate the need for field mitering. They save time and maintain watertightness at transitions and terminations. UNIVERSAL 90's Dual-sided bellows allow a single unit to be an inside UNIVERSAL 90's or outside 90° corner. Available for all of EMSEAL’s Patent Pending coated precompressed sealants.

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’ve just returned from a vacation fi nd an empty parking spot so we drove any fool idea to restrict the use of pri- and although I intended to relax, on. A couple of days later we made the vate transportation. Iread and take advantage of the journey again, parked and had a great The fact is, this city’s huge footprint warm weather on the gorgeous island lunch after shopping. Finding parking makes driving inevitable for most of us of Maui, it’s diffi cult to go anywhere meant local businesses benefi ted – a – at least until that wonderful day when and not scrutinize it as a place to live, lesson for downtown merchants here. we have access to public transit within work and get around. Arriving back home, the fi rst order minutes and to all areas of the city. Not Now Maui is very different – not as of business was to catch up with all of in my life time I’m afraid. many snowplows – but people there still the news I’d been able to avoid. What Business has to be done, people have have to live and earn a living. The fi rst an exciting city we live in; it took me to get to work, and there are so few thing that hit me walking down to the hours to read and digest the happen- ways of getting across the city. Memo- beach is that there wasn’t a parking ings of those few days. rial Drive is for sure one of the major meter to be found. I was in Paris a few years back and routes. Maui administration realizes that had the pleasure of sitting down with Then I read about transportation pric- their economy is reliant upon people a vice-mayor with responsibilities that ing that might include road tolls, transit being able to get to the beach, shops included culture. He explained to me fares and parking rates to manage traf- and attractions. There are several sur- how he had managed to close the ma- fi c fl ows and congestion; the infamous face parking lots on South Kihei Road, jor road along the Right Bank for the sink hole that closed 4th Street SW; and all kinds of street parking, and any summer and lay a sandy beach on the the kafuffl e over the Drop-In Centre’s open space soon gets parked on. tarmac to encourage people to relax purchase of the Sundial tower. We drove up to Paia and couldn’t and have fun. Never a dull moment, but the story I told him there that took a lot of my thinking time is no way he would was the idea of developers providing get away with such parking on construction sites where de- an idea in Calgary. velopments have stalled. Good idea. And what do you I don’t agree with the comment that know – I leave the high revenues from parking would be city for a while and reason to stop further construction. I come back to a do know that it is diffi cult to fi nd park- plan to close lanes ing in the core and I worry about the along Memorial effect not only on downtown retailers Drive to encourage but building owners too. people to relax and Bell has moved out to Westwinds have fun! where there is a convenient LRT sta- I know how to tion and lots of parking for employees. relax and enjoy the For the same reason AEC Engineer- opportunity to just ing moved out to Crowfoot, and the Calgary-based commercial cleaning fi rm Cleanmax Inc. is pleased wander along with- amount of free parking at Quarry Park to present our Vice Presidents of Client Service Peter Pawluk and Sharry Brierton. Peter and Sharry bring diverse backgrounds in all out fear of getting has already attracted AMEC, Jacobs and aspects of cleaning with a focus on creating innovative cleaning hit by a car. But Catalyst Group. programs for a variety of customers in the commercial, industrial, what’s wrong with One day the Calgary Parking Author- institutional and health-care markets. Let proven experience, Prince’s Island, the ity may just spend some of the money leadership, and knowledge be your advantage as you consider Calgary Zoo, Heri- it has collected over the years to build choosing a professional cleaning fi rm to design and implement tage Park and the new parking structures. Until then al- ® healthy workplace solutions . Bow River Pathway lowing more surface parking a la Maui we are so proud is something BOMA, Calgary Downtown of? Association members, and even Calgary There seems to Economic Development should be push- be a growing num- ing hard for. #1, 5925 – 12th Street SE Calgary ber of people who But no matter where you travel, Cal- Contact us: 403.229.2406 have such a hate gary really is the very best place to live; for cars that they let’s encourage city hall to try and not www.cleanmax.ca will come up with mess it up.

12 BOMA Calgary News