Bell chooses Bird as preferred data centre contractor

Key Takeaways:

• Bird Construction has been named the lead partner for a 300 megawatt data centre in Saskatchewan and will serve as the preferred contractor for Bell’s future national AI infrastructure projects.
• The Sherwood facility is expected to begin initial operations in the first half of 2027 and will provide dedicated Canadian infrastructure for clients such as Cerebras and CoreWeave.
• The project involves several regional partners including a local architecture firm and George Gordon Developments to ensure Indigenous workforce participation and procurement opportunities.

The Whole Story:

Bell Canada has selected Bird Construction Inc. as the lead construction partner for Bell AI Fabric’s 300 megawatt data centre in the Rural Municipality of Sherwood, Saskatchewan, and formalized a long-term strategic partnership with the contractor to support a multi-year, Canada-wide AI data centre buildout.

The Sherwood facility, first announced in March, is designed to deliver sovereign, made-in-Canada AI infrastructure. The project will serve customers Cerebras and CoreWeave, with the first phase expected to come online in the first half of 2027.

Alton Tangedal Architect Ltd. (ATAL), based in Regina, has been appointed Architect of Record. George Gordon Developments Ltd. will deliver site services and maximize business opportunities for the George Gordon First Nation throughout construction.

The appointments build on Saskatchewan-based contractors previously announced for early construction phases, including Regina-based Hipperson Construction.

“Canada’s AI economy needs world-class digital infrastructure, and we need partners with the scale, discipline and Canadian footprint to build it on time,” Dan Rink, President of Bell AI Infrastructure and Strategy, said in a news release. “With Bird as our preferred construction partner, we are well-positioned to continue to build out critical AI infrastructure for Canada in the years to come.”

Under the long-term agreement, Bird will serve as Bell’s preferred construction partner for potential future AI data centre projects supporting Bell AI Fabric’s nationwide expansion.

“Bell is making one of the most significant technology infrastructure investments in Canada’s recent history, and we are proud to have been selected as lead construction partner for the Sherwood facility,” Teri McKibbon, President and Chief Executive Officer of Bird Construction, said in the release. “The strategic long-term partnership advances our Mission Critical platform and reinforces our position as the partner of choice for Canada’s largest and most complex infrastructure projects.”

In Sherwood, Bird will prioritize local and Indigenous workforce participation in coordination with Bell and other project partners. ATAL brings more than 25 years of architectural experience in Saskatchewan. The engagement of George Gordon Developments builds on Bell’s and George Gordon First Nation’s agreement on Indigenous procurement participation and workforce development.

“To serve as Architect of Record for a project of this scale and significance in Saskatchewan is a defining opportunity for our team,” Trevor Monroe, Principal Architect at ATAL, said in the release.