Caspian has a long history of working with government

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 27/01/2017 (2792 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Winnipeg-based construction firm at the centre of an ever-expanding criminal investigation has managed to keep a low profile while assembling what appears to be an impressive track record across Canada and the United States.

According to information on its website, Caspian Projects (also known as Caspian Construction) has been in business for more than 30 years, starting in 1984 in residential construction and concrete subcontracting.

The company credits its growth to a partnership with an unnamed firm and its involvement in the construction of more than 50 Costco warehouses across Canada and the United States.

“As a result of this strategic partnership, Caspian developed concise methods of fast-track scheduling, efficient cost-control strategies and the ability to administer large, multi-phase projects,” the company states on its website. “After thirty-two successful Costcos, from Honolulu to Toronto and everywhere in between, Caspian had established itself as an (sic) reliable and reputable general contractor.”

From its modest, nondescript headquarters on McGillivray Boulevard, Caspian went from building Costcos to chasing and catching clients big and small, including small hotels, the Department of National Defence and the City of Winnipeg.

For the City of Winnipeg, in addition to the controversial Winnipeg police headquarters project (under RCMP investigation), Caspian also built the $22.6-million, 135,000-square foot Transit garage on Brandon Avenue in South Osborne and the $1.25-million Winnipeg police canine unit facility adjacent to the west district police station on Dugald Road.

Other projects in Winnipeg include the Leo Mol Sculpture Garden at Assiniboine Park (1997); the sculptures and fountains at Central Park; the HMCS Chippawa Naval Reserve; and the 135,000-sq.-ft. Canada Post mail-processing plant adjacent to the Richardson International Airport (under police investigation).

For the Department of National Defence, Caspian built the 261,000-sq.-ft. logistics, supply and transport facility at 17 Wing (Winnipeg, 2008); a total of 460,000 square feet at CFB Shilo, including a training facility, light armoured vehicle shelter and a maintenance and transport building (2004); a rebuild of the Aerospace Engineering Test facilities at 4 Wing, Cold Lake, Alta. (1999); upgrades to CFB Esquimalt’s Fleet Maintenance Facility (2006); and the Maritime Forces Pacific (MARPAC) headquarters in Esquimalt, B.C. (2007)

Other private-sector projects cited by the company include Saskatoon’s Aerogreen Mainstay Suites (2012), Regina’s Best Western Eastgate Inn & Suites (2011).

Company president Armik Babakhanians is also listed as the diocesan representative for the Armenian Church of Winnipeg.

aldo.santin@freepress.mb.ca