A major upgrade is underway at the Manitoba Hydro office building along Highway #52 West in Steinbach. Spokesperson Bruce Owen says this is part of a consolidation that has happened in the last several years where smaller offices in the southeast have been closed with operations being centred at the Steinbach office. He adds they are spending $1.6 million dollars on the building.

"It's getting a little bit long in the tooth. We've got more people working in there and we have to meet energy efficiency standards and accessibility standards. This work will be done over the next few months just to make the building better, not only for our employees, but for when our customers come to see us and want to talk us."

Owen says there will also be an addition to the building.

"Part of the renovation is another garage for our vehicles, our bucket trucks. During the cold of winter, when starting our diesel vehicles from a cold start, there's a lot of wear and tear, not only the engine, but the hydraulics. By storing these vehicles inside, there's less wear and tear and we can have extended life out of these high-value vehicles."

Staff have been moved out of the building into temporary trailers while the work is done.

Below is an outline of all the work to be done:

· Renovation of the customer service area to include a small meeting room. This allows Manitoba Hydro staff to meet privately with customers to discuss billing or permitting inquiries.

· Renovation of the staff ready rooms to ensure that all field staff can meet to review their work activities on a daily basis.

· Renovation of the washrooms to meet increased building occupancy level and to meet current accessibility requirements.

· Renewal of lighting system and building control system to improve overall energy efficiency.

· Addition of drive-through garage bay to provide indoor parking for high-value service vehicles, such as our bucket trucks. The indoor storage of large vehicles in winter months extends the life of diesel-powered vehicles.

· Modifications throughout the building to meet requirements under Accessibility for Manitobans Act.