The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

Progress Edition of The Canadian Statesman, Wednesday, June 29,1988 55 Start Up for Darlington G.S. Slated for Next Year hectares (26 acres) of land was reclaimed from Lake Ontario. In 1989, the first of four units will begin produc- of the Town and Region in the dozen years we have been working with them. We all take pride in the success of the Dar ing electricity to supply lington Generating Sta- the energy needs of On- tion, in working together tario. as partners in the com- Approved by the Onta- munity. We set out doing rio government in 1977, that and will continue in the Ontario Hydro project project covers a 485-hectare (1200-acre) site close to the major energy markets markets of Ontario. The Town of Newcastle location location offers good transportation transportation access, excellent bedrock and a supply of the future. We are not complacent. We intend to keep the community well-informed." An agreement to cover the cost of economic effects effects on the Town of Newcastle was signed by Ontario Hydro and the cooling water from Lake Town, March 1977. Lat- Ontario. Ontario Hydro er, the same year, a regards Darlington and three-party agreement its employees as an inte- between Ontario Hydro, gral part of the commu- the Town of Newcastle Artist's conception of Darlington Generating Station From a tree perch outside outside the Darlington Generating Generating Station Information Information Centre, the newest sparrow hawk fledgling casually observes construction construction progress and human visitors to the centre. His birthplace was a nest in the trim of the Information Centre. Below is one of the largest largest energy projects in North America. Three generations of sparrow hawks have been watching Darlington Darlington Generation Station (G.S.) take shape since construction began in 1977. The first generation generation watched as cliffs up. to 30 m (95ft.) high were removed, the earth located located back from the lake- shore to facilitate building building on the bedrock. Ten nity. "We have made a commitment to maintaining maintaining good relationships relationships with the Town of Newcastle and the Region Region of Durham," says Project Manager John McCredie. "We want to and the Region of Durham Durham was signed. Ontario Ontario Hydro and the Town of Newcastle Liaison Committee continue to meet regularly. Ontario Hydro is creating a municipal park on the hill near contribute wherever pos- Highway 401 on the Dar- sible to the economic de- lington G.S. site. Three velopment of this area." soccer fields on the west "We have certainly side will be ready for use enjoyed the co-operation in 1989. Cross-country ski and nature trails will also be developed. Building a generating station of Darlington's magnitude requires years of planning and construction. Extensive environmental, engineering engineering and community studies were undertaken prior to work commencement; commencement; studies and monitoring monitoring continue today and will in the future. For example, the site has its own Environmental Engineer, Alison Bar- low, who oversees environmental environmental monitoring and assessments of such aspects as wildlife population?, population?, emission controls controls and environmental legislation; requirements. requirements. The construction workforce is now downsizing, downsizing, having peaked in 1986 with over 7,000 workers on site. In June of 1988, there are approximately approximately 5,400 construction construction workers. Overseeing Overseeing the construction of the station with its enormous enormous workforce, material material and service requirements requirements falls' to Construction Manager Hank Zuzek. "From the time earth- moving activities; started in 1977, the construction site at Darlington has grown to become the largest construction project project in North America," says Zuzek. "Up to 7,100 trades and staff have made valuable-contributions valuable-contributions to a project that will leave behind a legacy of achievements that few other construction organizations organizations can match on this.continent." "By the end of 1988, over 90% of the 760,000 cubic metres of concrete will be placed, and 92% of the estimated estimated 49,000 tonnes of structural steel will be erected as well. Most importantly, importantly, the yé.ar-end should be marked by the completion and final commissioning of Unit 2, and the generation of first power, leading to a March 1989 start of full commençai service." Unit 1 will be commissioned commissioned January 1990 with Unit 3 following in May 1991, and Unit 4 in February February of 1992. "The Darlington Construction Construction organization continues to be committed committed to producing a quality product and providing a safe working environment," environment," says Zuzek. "There have been no fatalities fatalities in the last six years, as well as a marked decrease in serious serious accidents." As Darlington G.S. is built, Construction staff make way for Operation employees. When completed, completed, the $11.3 billion Darlington G.S. will provide employment for approximately 1,100 people. people. "We in Operations have a long-term commitment commitment to this area," says Vern Austman, Operations- Operations- Manager. "Many of our people; lived in or moved to this area long before Darlington Darlington G.S. was started, working at Ontario Hydro Hydro offices in Pickering, Toronto and local area offices. We now number about 850 and live in almost almost every community within 80 kilometres of the station." "We are committed to the safe generation of electricity from nuclear energy and the protection of the environment for future generations of our families. We thank and respect the pioneers of this area, and their descendants, descendants, for the excellent excellent quality of life we have found here." The community in which Darlington G.S. operates is of prime importance importance to Ontario Hydro, Hydro, not only as a community community neighbor, but because so many of the corporation's workers live here, too. Through community presentations presentations and newsletters and the Darlington Information Information Centre, an "open door" policy is in effect to keep everyone informed of developments developments and to respond to questions. In 1987, 21,000 people visited the Information Information Centre. Since its 1984 opening, 70,000 have come to learn more of the nuclear generating project. project. "We have visitors from around the world," says Suzanne Stickley, Darlington Community Relations Officer. "Some come as guests of the Canadian government, government, here to observe first-hand the CANDU (Canadian-Uranium- Deuterium) design. Many others are international international tourists who have heard of the scale of the construction project and want to see it firsthand. firsthand. There are schools and group tours, and then there are the friends and families of not only our on-site workers, but of our community neighbors neighbors as well. "In this sense, we are an international focus for the Town of Newcastle," Newcastle," says Ms. Stickley. The Information Centre Centre is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., seven days a week in the summer, and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday, September to May.