A legacy from over 50 years.
Our History
Founded in 1974 by Glen Sandwith, GS Construction has a proven track record of success and growth, and continues to look ahead without forgetting the robust past.
Pre GS Construction – A History of Glen
In 1963 Glen was working for the New Brunswick telephone company as a field inspector for the installation of utilities by contractors. It is there that he learned the details of contract management, payment clauses and scope of work in contracts. On one project he realized that the contractor was doing extra work outside of the contract scope and went to bat for them in getting paid for their extra work. The contractor was EW Farris who he would later go to work for. He then started doing design work on subdivisions for shallow utilities. He didn’t know it at the time but the seeds were laid for being in construction and being a contractor.
GS Holdings is Founded
Glen started GS Holdings June 4th, 1974. The reason he named the company G.S. Holdings was that he wanted to keep it a secret that he was going out on his own. He had been working for Poole Engineering at the time as a Superintendent. His brother-in-law, John Oxner, was also working at Poole and helped start GS with Glen as an estimator.
The first crew consisted of Leon Banhiuk as Pipelayer, his younger brother Matt Bahniuk (who later went on to start Streamline Construction with Ken Allen. Glen helped them get bonding on their first project), Gerry Thurd, and Glen's younger brother Stan
First Project, GS1
The first job Glen bid on was for the Town of Hinton. It was advertised in the paper at that time. Glen had $1500 in savings.
In order to bid on the project he needed bonding which he couldn’t get on his own. His older brother Gordon knew Ivan Gwynn who was the founder of Northern American Construction (still in operation as a public company), from working on the South Saskatchewan dam where Glen had worked back in 1964. Ivan did not know Glen but Glen phoned him up and asked him ‘if he would like to make some money’. To which Ivan replied, ‘Sonny that is what it is all about.’ For 10% of the contract value Ivan agreed to bond GS as long as it was approved by his estimator. Reid Carruthers looked it over and added $100k. The bid was $420K with the second bidder being at $485k. When the job was finished GS had made $120k in six months.
A Second Crew
After making money from the first job Glen decided to start a second crew in 1975.
Storm Pond & Lift Station
GS undertook a storm pond in Acheson GS2 and a lift station in Camrose GS3.
Camrose
First truck. The lift station. There were two 8 inch submersible pumps that pumped into one force main that went down across the creek and into another manhole. And also along with that was an eight inch siphon line so that if the pumps couldn't keep up, the siphon line may come in and it could move as much water as one of the one of the pumps.
Nisku Industrial Park, SW of Beaumont
Here's a waterline going across the from Nisku industrial park over to a residential area on crossed the creek that line.
The Notorious Competitor
A notorious competitor tried to mess up GS’s bonding. Glen bid a job in Whitehorse (1976-77) and this competitor kept telling his bonding company that GS was going broke on the job. Both crews were up there and Glen bought a 245 CAT excavator (equivalent to 670 today) and shipped it up there to do the job.
Hinton Workers
Hinton
Installation of watermain
NW Hinton, Mountain St.
Glen and a future engineer with Stantec
Stony Plain crossing of Highway 16A.
Hard Times & a Lucky Win
In 1980, GS had no work to start the season but then got a job in Slave Lake. As soon as the first payment came in the Bank seized the payment which would force Glen to declare bankruptcy. He had not breached any covenants of the banking agreement and so if had been put into bankruptcy he could have sued for future lost profits. His lawyer wanted to sue for $20 million. The bank finally relented, and Glen only asked that his vendors were paid and an apology letter sent to them. His name and reputation was more important than declaring bankruptcy. He continued at the bank until he paid off the loan he owed and left the bank in 1982.
During the tough 1980s, Glen did the estimating, paid bills, ran the main excavator and even laid pipe as needed during those lean years. All the while working in remote towns and hamlets in Northern and Central Alberta.
Workers from New Brunswick
Alberta Housing Corporation, Town of Onoway, Industrial Subdivision Utilities
A 245 CAT Excavator. Glen, who appears to be 39-40 years old, is captured operating the excavator in the photo. The image depicts Glen actively engaged in operating the excavator and setting up the pipe laser.
Excavating North of Stony Plain
Hinton
R. Angus - a sticker on the loader. They used to be the Caterpillar distributor in Alberta, prior to Finning.
County of Grande Prairie, Hamlet of Bezanson, Sewer Treatment Lagoon & Sewage Collection System
Augured crossing in a shored excavation.
Terran Sandwith
13 year old Terran Sandwith driving a packer.
Alberta Transportation, Highway 16, Entwistle Storm Sewer & Downspout Installation
The pipe was laid with the help of a helicopter, as it went down in the river bank. Glen used a helicopter to drop and install all the pipe down the edge of the Pembina River. Glen was always trying to figure out how to construct projects in unique and more efficient ways. He always loved the risky and unique projects.
County of St. Paul, Hamlet of Mallaig, Sanitary Sewer System Replacement
Glen is operating the excavator. Excavation completed in a back alley.
963 CAT Loader
A Better Future
The 1990s started to get better. With John returning as the estimator after a 10 stint working in Calgary, and Jules Bertrand coming to work for Glen as a Foreman around 1996 after spending 33 years with Standard General. This slowly allowed Glen to take more of a management role and take some of the burden off of him.
The Home Office
In 1990 Glen finally completed his house on the acreage and was able to put his office in the house. He had purchased the acreage in 1979 with plans to build his dream home. Those plans had to wait 10 years.
Installation of a lot service in a shored trench
Barrhead
Capital Region Sewage Commission, 1997 Replacement Program
Chamber with high H2S for regional sanitary sewer lines. From St. Albert and Legal and other areas and drainage from Spruce Grove and Stony Plain and ties in that chamber.
Morinville
Wetaskiwin
Deanna, Glen's daughter standing beside the brand new GMC.
Running the Crews
From 1998 to 2004, GS had one main underground crew under Jules and a second crew run by Wilf Hartfelder, a good friend of Glen’s who had retired from CN. Wilf who could do underground but also earthworks, landscaping and other special projects.
A regular supply line
99 Street, 67 to 82 Avenue Reconstruction. Subcontracted to Lafarge Construction
Special pipe gaskets had to be used through an area of contaminated soil - Lafarge was a general contractor. N.S. Pawliuk & Sons working on a Hot Tap connection.
Precision Trenching Gets Some Extra Hands
In 2000 Wilf was doing a project in Barrhead. Glen helped Keith Mackinnon start Precision Trenching by renting Wilf’s crew and equipment.
Fort Saskatchevan
Mark Wright Joins GS
Mark Wright was hired June 12th, 2000. His first project was with Jules in 99 st Edmonton. That winter he bid his first 2 estimates by hand, the old school way.
EPCOR Water Services, Anthony Henday Watermain
5 - 120 tone cranes lowering the steel casing & PVC watermain that crosses under Anthony Henday Drive, on the West of Calgary Trail. Pacific Flow Control completing a 750mm Diameter Hot Tap into a 900mm Diameter Hyprescon Watermain. Using 2 excavators to remove the old steel casing & PVC pipe.
Silver Spoon
Christmas of 2002, Terran, came back to work with GS. At that time the office was in the family home where his Uncle John worked as the Estimator and Mark helped estimate in the winter months.
The first day on a job did not go well for Terran as he slept in on the first day and was late, then at coffee break he was presented with a shovel that had ‘Silver Spoon’ spray painted on it.
EPCOR Water Services, 2002 Palisades Water Transmission Main 127 Street, 153 Ave to 158 Ave
Installation of watermain. Pulling water fittings together, prior to lowering into the trench. Watermain installation and concrete thrust blocks.
Terran at GS
From 2003 to 2006 Terran spent the construction season working in the field in every position from labourer, topman to pipelayer, and every piece of equipment from loader to excavator and eventually as a Foreman running projects. All the while learning the business from Glen, Jules, Wilf, John, and Mark. (from construction, estimating, contract management, project management, risk management etc.)
Terran’s sister Deanna was working for GS in the field as well.
Town of Bon Accord, 2003 Infrastructure Improvements
Shored trench excavation next to a shallow concrete storm sewer.
Sturgeon County, Villeneuve Water Supply System, Contract 1 – Water Supply Line
Installation of the waterline meter vault.
Town of Edson, 2004 Watermain Upgrading and Replacement Program
Watermain replacement and service connections.
Town of Stony Plain, 1050mm Sanitary Sewer Mainline Repair
Mark Wright, after checking the internal connection between the newly install 1050mm PVC Sanitary sewer to the existing concrete sewer. On the main sanitary sewer trunk out of Stony Plain.
City of Spruce Grove, Campsite Road Widening, Highway 16 to Highway 16A, Subcontracted to Lafarge Canada
Terran Sandwith. Installing the concrete storm line under the gas line. Dean Elliott waving, Gasline Representativein red coveralls.
Town of Barrhead, 2004 Street Improvements, Subcontracted to E Construction
After GS crews cored out the cul-de-sac, they are rolling out geogrid prior to placing the granular base course. After GS crews cored out the street, they are rolling out geotextile prior to placing the granular base course.
Town of Fox Creek, 2004 Infrastructure Improvements
Installation of concrete storm sewer, Hitachi 200 excavator, Terran next to barricade. Terran is on the right, installing the manhole.
Jules Departs
At the end of 2004 Jules left GS because of personal reasons.
GS Rebranding
Town of Edson, East End Subdivision – Underground and Roadways
Installation of the Storm Water Management Facility Control Manhole. The SWMF water elevation will be maintained to the top of the vertical PVC Pipe.
NRDRWSC, Water Transmission Pipeline – Mike Durdle’s First Job
Subcontractor forming the base for a Concrete water vault. The white PVC pipes are part of the Well-Point De-Watering system installed to lower the water table. All of the material is sand. Clearing Trees & starting to strip the topsoil prior to the installation of the watermain. Installation of watermain transition from PVC to HDPE. Tom Tippett and Mike Durdle. Working on the HDPE to C900 PVC Pipe Connection. Installation of the watermain from Blackflads connecting to the regional waterline. Pulling in the Directionally Drilled HDPE watermain using a roller sling to allow the pipe to make a 90 degree bend and go down the railway ditch. Larry Papke from Associated Engineering in the white hard hat.
Mike Durdle arrived in 2005 from Newfoundland with a hockey bag of clothes and $300. Mike becoming GS President almost didn’t happen, as he was forced to wait at the airport for a couple hours for someone to come pick him up. He almost turned around and went home.
Lakeland County, Hamlet of Plamondon, Storm Sewer System Upgrading
The on-site engineer is breaking open the hole for the concrete pipe into the T-Riser. Installation of the storm sewer in a right-of-way between a residential home & a seniors complex. Installation of the storm sewer pipe. Installation of a manhole. Terran in the trench on the right side of the manhole, Dean Elliott in the middle. Installation of the concrete flared end at the low end of the project, Terran holding up a shovel. Installation of the concrete pipe at the back alley crossing. Installation of the storm sewer in a right-of-way between a residential home & a seniors complex.
A Second Underground Crew
In 2005, GS started a second underground crew with Terran running one and Mark Wright running the second. Wilf Hartfelder was running a third crew doing earthworks and special projects. Again, at that time Mark and Terran would both be wearing different hats at times by also going and laying pipe or running a piece of backfill equipment while also playing our role as Foreman.
Yellowhead County, Hamlet of Evansburg, 46A Street & 52 Avenue Subdivision
Water/Storm Water Separation System (It separates the oils that might be in the water so they don't do down into the existing steams). GS crews excavating to complete the Storm Water Management Facility of the subdivision. Excavating for the Storm Water Management Facility. Installation of the Vortechs Oil-Grit Separator.
Wilf Exits the Company
In 2006, Wilf Hartfelder left the company after the 2006 construction season to start his own landscaping business.
New Blood
Steve Brittain was soon hired to run the second crew. Steve had been an engineering inspector with UMA. He later returned to a group of engineers who started Select Engineering. Terran was able to become more of a project manager. Again at that time everyone was wearing different hats.
First Meeting
In 2006, Ryan Thompson met Glen, Terran and Mark for the first time as an inspector for Associated Engineering on GS 208 – 2006 Sewer Bypass Project. Ryan would work with GS on several projects as the consulting engineer over the next few years in Onoway, Slave Lake, and Hinton.
Unprecedented Economic Growth
From 2006 tp 2008, Alberta saw unprecedented economic growth. It was a crazy boom with oil prices reaching the $150/barrel. It was like the ‘wild west’ and it was hard to find people to fill jobs with all the work that was available. During those years GS was able to do very well in their niche of municipal rehab because no one wanted to do these difficult and high risk projects when there was ‘easier’ work to be had.
A Large, Unique & Risky Project
The Sucker Creek Water Intake project, started in 2007, was one of the most unique, riskiest and biggest projects GS had done to that time. The key to its success was Glen… he designed the techniques and tools and strategies that were used to put a water line 1.4km out into Lesser Slave Lake. It was a very successful job financially because of the construction methods that were used and it enabled GS to ‘weather the storm’ of the later financial crisis of 2009 and 2010.
Enoch Cree Nation, Sewer and Water Servicing
3 - GS Construction excavators completing the pre-excavation.
2 Underground Crews
In 2008 GS continued to run 2 underground crews.
Mike’s First Project
Mike ran his first project as a Foreman running his own crew in Onoway and under the tutelage of Glen as well.
A Loss in Revenue
Revenues were cut by 60% due to the Global Financial Crisis and revenues didn’t recover to 2008 levels until 2012. However, GS maintained two crews, stayed profitable and didn’t have to let go any of its permanent or key employees.
A Contract with EPCOR
In 2012, Ryan Thompson and Terran spoke about potential opportunities with Ryan coming on board with GS. At that time GS was looking to get a long term contract with EPCOR Water so the timing was perfect. Ryan was hired and spearheaded the proposal to EPCOR Water and secured the contract. He then proceeded to build out the team and infrastructure needed to service such a large contract. This was a catalyst for GS in providing it with steady revenue and allowing it to grow.
5 Underground Crews
2015 GS was running 5 main underground crews and 3 mini or support crews.
The Collapse in Oil Prices
In 2016 revenues were cut in half from 2015 due to the collapse in oil prices and did not recover to 2015 levels until 2018. Again, GS stayed profitable and didn’t have to let go any of its permanent or key employees.
7 Underground Crews
In 2017, GS began running 7 main underground crews.
GS Holdings became GS Construction
Reconstruction and expansion of our Office
The COVID19 Pandemic
During COVID GS managed to maintain and grow business throughout the pandemic and keep everyone employed.
Stronger than Ever
GS runs 15 main underground crews, and employs over 200 permanent and seasonal employees.
