Multipurpose travel stop marks the gateway to northern Canada

Valleyview, Alberta is often labeled as the “crossroads to Canada’s north.” In fact, an estimated 2 million travelers annually pass through Valleyview. Many of those travelers are en route to northern Alberta’s oil and gas industry facilities. Thus, it is no surprise that Valleyview is the site for a new one-stop travel centre that will serve as a gas station, full service deli and grocery, and a liquor store for both travelers and locals. What may be a surprise, however, is its construction using timber framing with SIPs from Insulspan .

The 8,200-square-foot Valleyview Travel Centre has a design resembling that of a turn of the century train station. Its design features a wraparound porch and authentic roof dormers. When builder Todd Teolis of AWP Contractors received the plans for the travel centre, he immediately knew that the hip roof and large dormers posed a framing nightmare.

“[With SIPs,] you can get a building closed-in very quickly and have less labor onsite or need less guys to put them up.” – Todd Teolis, AWP Contractors

“To stick frame and insulate the roof wouldn’t have been impossible, but it would have been a challenge,” said Teolis. An experienced timber framer and general contractor based in St. Albert, Alberta, Teolis needed a solution.

Teolis’ background in timber framing proved helpful. Because of it, he knew the Insulspan® Structural Insulated Panel (SIP) system would simplify the roof construction. Insulspan’s time-saving, ready-to-assemble panels arrived at the construction site pre-cut and labeled for a quick assembly.

“[With SIPs,] you can get a building closed-in very quickly and have less labor onsite or need less guys to put them up,” said Teolis. “It is just quicker and easier, and, at the end of the day, about the same price.”

For Teolis, the benefits of Insulspan SIPs extend beyond the productivity gains. Factory quality control ensures a straighter, more consistent product than onsite framing, with better energy efficiency as well. The 10.25-inch SIPs provide an effective R-value of R-36 that virtually eliminates thermal bridging and air infiltration.

What about working with the Insulspan sales staff? “They did an excellent job, and I would definitely use panels again,” said Teolis.