News

On behalf of 28186 Ontario Inc., care of Lue & Karl McKeen you are invited to attend a Public Information Session on June 4, 2025, to learn more about a proposed development along Highway 3 at the southwest edge of town. The event will occur at the Jarvis Lawn Bowling Building (2020 Main Street South). Doors open at 6:30 PM, with a formal presentation starting at 7:00 PM. The project includes a plan of subdivision featuring 114 single-detached homes, 10 street townhouses, and a multi-residential site, aiming to expand housing options in the community.

For additional details, contact Scott Puillandre of G. Douglas Vallee Limited, Consulting Engineers, Architects & Planners at 519-426-6270 or scottpuillandre@gdvallee.ca. This session offers residents an opportunity to ask questions, voice concerns, and gain clarity on the development’s impact. Your input is valued—don’t miss this chance to engage with the project team!

G. Douglas Vallee Limited is proud to announce our continued partnership with Norfolk County through the award of the 2026 Structure Rehabilitations and Replacements project. This initiative involves the rehabilitation and replacement of three key structures:

• Big Creek Bridge on Concession 5 South Walsingham
• Big Creek Bridge on Concession 6 South Walsingham
• Old Highway 24 Culvert

Scheduled to commence in July 2025, the project aims to enhance the safety and longevity of these vital transportation assets. Construction phases are scheduled to begin in April and July 2026, and completion is anticipated by November 2026.

Our longstanding relationship with Norfolk County, built over years of collaboration on various infrastructure projects, reflects our shared commitment to community development and sustainable engineering solutions. This project aligns with Norfolk County’s 2022–2026 Strategic Plan, “Our Future Norfolk,” which emphasizes the importance of maintaining and improving public infrastructure to serve the community effectively.

We look forward to contributing our expertise to this project and continuing to support Norfolk County in its mission to provide safe and reliable infrastructure for its residents.

To learn more about our experience with bridge and culvert projects, visit our Bridge & Culvert Engineering page.

G. Douglas Vallee Limited is proud to support Station View Developments Inc. in advancing a transformative vision for downtown Tillsonburg. The proposed Station District is a thoughtfully designed mixed-use community at the edge of the Central Area, delivering a balance of residential, commercial, and public amenity space.  As lead consultant for planning and civil engineering, Vallee undertook a detailed and collaborative planning process, balancing local policy, public input, servicing constraints, and land use compatibility.  The Station District has received municipal support, including an endorsement from the Downtown Tillsonburg BIA.  Oxford County Council approved the Official Plan amendment at their meeting of May 14, 2025.

We’re proud to collaborate on this project with:

• The BMI Group – Project Sponsor
• Martin Simmons Sweers Architects Inc. – Architectural Design
• Paradigm Transportation Solutions – Traffic and Parking Analysis

Please visit BMI Group for more information on this exciting development!

The Norfolk County Public Library’s dream of revitalizing the Waterford Branch has become a reality, with the newly renovated space officially reopening on Thursday, May 1st, 2025. The project, designed to enhance accessibility, sustainability, and community engagement, features energy-efficient upgrades, barrier-free improvements, and a modern open-concept layout with dedicated zones for making, studying, and gatherings.

Vallee, serving as both architect and structural engineer, collaborated closely with Norfolk County Staff, PK Construction, and the library team to bring this vision to life. Reflecting on the branch’s history, Vallee shared their enthusiasm, noting they had visited the library when it first opened in 1989 and were honoured to help reimagine it for a new generation.

The renovation showcases a fresh, purpose-driven design, aligning with the community’s evolving needs. From creative maker spaces to quiet study nooks, the upgrades promise to elevate the library’s role as a hub for learning and connection.

Residents are invited to explore the revitalized branch and discover its new services and features. For more details on the project’s journey, check out the coverage in the Simcoe Reformer.

We are thrilled to share that G. Douglas Vallee Limited has been awarded the engineering design and contract administration for four major road reconstruction projects in Norfolk County:

• James Street (Delhi)
• Foster Street (Simcoe)
• Regent Avenue (Port Dover)
• McNab Street (Port Dover)

This award reinforces our long-standing partnership with Norfolk County, built on decades of collaboration on critical infrastructure projects. The design phase will be completed this year, with construction set to begin in 2026.

Why This Matters:
These projects underscore the County’s continued trust in our expertise to deliver safe, efficient, and sustainable infrastructure solutions. They will enhance connectivity, safety, and economic vitality for residents and businesses in Delhi, Simcoe, and Port Dover.

Acknowledging Success:
We extend our gratitude to Norfolk County for their confidence in our team. This achievement reflects our unwavering commitment to excellence and our proven track record in delivering high-quality engineering services. Special thanks to our dedicated staff and partners—your hard work made these successes!

Looking Ahead:
We are eager to bring these projects to life, contributing to thriving communities and strengthening Norfolk County’s infrastructure for future generations. Stay tuned for updates as we progress!

On April 28, 2025, G. Douglas Vallee Limited proudly celebrated the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the BB Ranch Equestrian Resort and Ranch in Norfolk County.

Located in the scenic countryside with breathtaking views of Lake Erie, BB Ranch is a working ranch and equestrian resort, a distinctive addition to Norfolk’s growing tourism economy. The property features not only wide-open pastures and rolling farmland but also a beautiful forested ravine, offering residents and visitors a truly unique connection to nature.

At BB Ranch, owners and guests can experience rural living at its finest, with the opportunity to vacation alongside their horses while enjoying residential ownership and short-term rental options. In addition to the resort accommodations, the Bouck family continues to actively farm the surrounding lands, maintaining and celebrating the agricultural heritage of the site.

The ribbon cutting ceremony was attended by:

• Jeff, Rebecca and family (owners)
• Bunting family of Prominent Homes (home builders)
• Deputy Mayor Doug Brunton and members of Council
• Staff from Prominent Homes
• Various community members and partners
• G. Douglas Vallee Limited (consultants)

G. Douglas Vallee Limited proudly served as the planning and engineering consultants for Mr. Jeff and Mrs. Rebecca Bouck, supporting the vision of creating an innovative and authentic rural destination.

Project Highlights:

• Residential ownership with short-term rental opportunities
• Full equestrian facilities, including boarding accommodations
• A working ranch with active farming operations on the surrounding lands
• Spectacular views of Lake Erie and a forested ravine
• Planned future amenities: a saloon/pavilion restaurant, conference centre, and riding arena
• Designed to enhance Norfolk County’s reputation as a destination for equestrian tourism, agricultural experiences, and rural retreats

The BB Ranch project, initiated in 2020, is a shining example of how thoughtful land use planning, innovative engineering, and a respect for Norfolk’s rural traditions can create sustainable economic opportunities and vibrant community spaces. G. Douglas Vallee Limited is proud to have been a part of making this exciting new chapter possible.

Congratulations to Jeff, Rebecca, the Bunting family, and the entire BB Ranch team!

We are thrilled to announce that Ryan Elliott, Vallee’s Director of Structural Engineering, has received his designation as a Professional Member of the Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals (CAHP).

This prestigious recognition highlights Ryan’s expertise in heritage conservation and reflects his dedication to preserving Canada’s architectural legacy. Attaining the CAHP designation involves a rigorous, peer-reviewed application process that evaluates candidates on their technical knowledge, project experience, and commitment to the highest standards in heritage conservation. Ryan is now within some exclusive company, as there are only about 500 CAHP Professional Members nationwide; of those, Ryan is one of 199 CAHP Professional Members with buildings expertise and only one of three practicing bridge engineers with the CAHP designation in Canada.

Ryan’s portfolio of heritage work has grown to include many significant projects, such as the design of a sympathetic replacement the designated spiral staircase in Toronto’s historic Strachan Pumphouse, structural review and design of renovations and repairs of the Henderson House at the Bell Homestead, and a building pathology and engineering report of the designated Old Mill Waterworks following a devastating fire.

“I’m very excited to continue my work on heritage buildings and bridges; developing and growing my knowledge and working with other Professional Members on important heritage sites. We have a few on the drawing board at the moment that we’ll be rolling out over the next year and I’m really looking forward to shining a bright light on some great local heritage legacy projects,” he said of the news.

Ryan’s CAHP membership underscores our commitment to delivering exceptional engineering services, particularly in the specialized area of heritage restoration and preservation. We are proud to have Ryan leading our structural team and continuing to set the standard for excellence.

You can check out his profile and learn more about the CAHP and the important heritage conservation work they do at https://cahp-acecp.ca/.

Congratulations, Ryan!

We’re proud to share that the Vallee Structural Engineering department has been awarded the 2025-2028 OSIM Inspections and Asset Management contract by Norfolk County! Since 2010, our engineers and technologists have provided OSIM services on nearly 300 Norfolk County road, pedestrian, and retaining wall structures, and we’re honoured to be able to continue this long-standing partnership with the County for another three years.

As G. Douglas Vallee Limited marks its 60th anniversary this year, we celebrate decades of delivering sustainable and impactful projects. Our success is rooted in collaboration and innovation, and we want to extend our gratitude to our dedicated team, clients, and partners who have made this achievement possible.

Thank you to everyone that joined us to celebrate yesterday. We look forward to shaping the future with the same commitment to excellence that has allowed us to achieve this milestone!

The application for BB Ranch, a resort-oriented horse ranching development in Port Rowan, was well-received by Norfolk County councillors at a public hearing committee meeting and county staff will now prepare a report, including a recommendation to councillors regarding final approval. For more details, read the Simcoe Reformer article here.