Seven Community Garden Boxes Rebuilt For Prince Of Wales Public School Through Partnership With BWXT

To help students continue their hands-on learning experience of gardening and sustainability, seven new community garden boxes have been installed by BWXT volunteers for Prince of Wales Public School through a community initiative project on Wednesday morning.

All photos by David Tuan Bui.

BWXT purchased the materials and assembled the boxes, They were brought over by hand to be installed by BWXT volunteers.

“We've been looking to revitalize our gardens through the parent council school community and that was a perfect start,” said Brad Conlin, Price of Wales vice-principal. “The original boxes were constructed by GE Peterborough so it was a great connection to bring that back together as our new opportunity.”

GE Peterborough made the original boxes and have been in place since 2014. They typically hold flowers and plants and plan to add vegetables soon. According to Conlin, the gardens allow the students to learn about gardening, sustainability, and teamwork as they are responsible for their maintenance.

“We have a garden club within the school so they work to learn about new plant species and learn how to have sustainable gardening,” explained Conlin. “We do have classes come out, often in the spring, to learn about how to start planting right from seed and gives them the opportunity to do that right on site and see the progress that's made here.”

The gardens also help revitalize the school so students can be educated in a pleasant atmosphere and take pride in their institution, said Conlin.

“What we like about it too is that it's showcasing the beauty of our awesome school and having pride in it in making it so nice out here,” he explained. “They like to have that experience to be out here doing that.”

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Innovation Cluster and BWXT Announce Collaboration to Highlight Clean Technology For the Future

In an effort to highlight clean technology for the future with the nuclear industry, Innovation Cluster and BWXT Nuclear Energy Canada (BWXT NEC) have begun a collaboration, announced at the former’s offices at the Venture North Building on Tuesday morning.

(form left to right) Mayor Jeff Leal; Janice Johnston, Constituency Assistant; Camila Duarte, Innovation Cluster executive director and Brett Jermyn, BWXT director of fuel handling and engineered solutions. BWXT NEC employs roughly 400 employees at its Peterborough location which has the largest workforce of its three locations in Ontario. PHOTO BY dAVID tUAN bUI.

Three goals were set from the collaboration:

1. Nuclear Energy: Communicating nuclear energy's benefits and addressing and transforming public perception.

2. Boost Local Employment: For BWXT NEC to create job opportunities within the nuclear industry. Local talent including students from Trent University and Fleming College and skilled professionals in our region are being sought.

3. Grow Economy Through Innovation: To fuel the local economy by combining innovative nuclear energy projects with job creation, promoting sustainable community development.

“Our collaboration with the Innovation Cluster highlights BWXT's commitment to innovation, local job creation, and deepening our relationships within Peterborough,” said Brett Jermyn, BWXT NEC director of fuel handling and engineered solutions. “We’re excited to be working with the organization and tapping into their expertise and network to further enable our nuclear innovations and support our community.”

“Collaborating with BWXT NEC is a transformative step for our region, underscoring the synergy between cleantech innovation and sustainable development,” said Camila Duarte, Innovation Cluster executive director. “This collaboration aligns with our mission to cultivate a thriving innovation ecosystem and shows how strategic relationships can accelerate progress in essential sectors like health tech, cleantech, and nuclear energy.”

With the collaboration, Innovation Cluster launched its Corporate Sponsorship initiative to ignite innovation through corporate partnerships. As a result of the union, BWXT has become a Zone Partner and has an office inside the Innovation Cluster’s downtown Peterborough Incubator.

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BWXT Gets $50M Contract With Ontario Power Generation for Darlington Refurbishment Project

The Peterborough BWXT Nuclear Energy plant has agreed to a five-year, $50 million contract to supply engineering and parts to Ontario Power Generation announced Thursday.

Brett Jermyn, BWXT director of fuel handling and engineered solutions (left) offering a tour to Todd Smith, Ontario Minister of Energy and Michelle Ferreri, Peterborough-Kawartha MP (right). Photo By David Tuan Bui.

The contract is for Fuelling Machine (FM) head engineering and component supply as part of the refurbishment of the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station.

The $50 million contract will be executed by BWXT Nuclear Energy Canada Inc. in Peterborough, where a team of more than 250 employees will design and supply complex parts and assemblies to enable the refurbishment of all eight FM heads at Darlington. Engineering work on this project began in 2020 with component supply occurring from 2022 to 2026 as stated in their press release.

BWXT also says that FM heads are part of the remote-controlled system that allows continuous on-power fuelling in CANDU reactors similar to Darlington’s.

“In addition to securing decades of safe, economical and clean power, Darlington Refurbishment is also enabling Ontario’s nuclear supply chain partners like BWXT to expand its capabilities and bolster its leading position in the global nuclear industry,” said Todd Smith, Ontario’s Minister of Energy. “As the Darlington Refurbishment project shows, we are so fortunate and proud to have a world-class nuclear supply chain that is the envy of the global industry.”

Darlington is in the midst of a planned midlife overhaul after operating for 30 years. The first of four units were shut down in 2016 and returned to service in 2020. A second unit is currently being refurbished with the four-unit project slated for completion in 2026.

BWXT employs over 400 workers at the Monaghan Road plant, have hired roughly 120 employees in the past two years and currently has 21 job openings according to Natalie Cutler, BWXT director of communications.

“Our team in Peterborough produces innovative fuel handling systems for CANDU nuclear plants around the world and is committed to supplying engineering services and components of the highest quality,” said John MacQuarrie, president of BWXT’s Nuclear Power Group. “We are excited to get started on this project that will again showcase BWXT’s engineering and manufacturing solutions that help our customers to operate their plants reliably.”

Peterborough-Kawartha MP Michelle Ferreri displayed her endorsement for the new contract.

“The Conservative government is really proud to support nuclear,” she said. “We are leaders of the whole country doing this.”

The project is projected to result in an $89.9 billion boost to Ontario’s economy, create approximately 14,000 jobs annually and increase Ontario’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP): every $1.00 spent on the project increases GDP by $1.40, on average. according to the Conference Board of Canada.

“Good, family-supporting jobs in our community benefit and grow our local economy, with indirect jobs created across our region,” said MPP Dave Smith. “This new $50 million contract will sustain these jobs and support our economic recovery for years to come.”

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