Ontario Construction News staff writer
The Winnipeg Construction Association (WCA) has welcomed the hiring a Chief Construction Officer (CCO), a key role that promises to enhance project management and drive greater efficiency in city infrastructure.
Winnipeg City Council unanimously approved Tom Sparrow, a veteran with more than 35 years of experience in construction and infrastructure management, for the new position.
“Hiring a Chief Construction Officer will help make sure the projects our members build will get done on time and on budget – which is something both contractors and the City of Winnipeg want to achieve,” said Ron Hambley, WCA president. “It should help the industry be more efficient.”
Sparrow’s background spans both the public and private sectors, where he has managed high-profile projects such as hospitals, schools, airports, and data centers across British Columbia and the Yukon, with values ranging from tens of millions to over a billion dollars.
His leadership roles include serving as Director with Public Works and Government Services Canada and advising the Office of the Auditor-General of Canada on infrastructure matters from 2015 to 2018. Sparrow holds a Master of Science from the University of Victoria and an MBA in IT Management from Athabasca University.
Mayor Scott Gillingham underscored the urgency of the position.
“Just this month, auditors have said we need to improve project management to control costs on major initiatives like the North End Water Pollution Control Centre,” he said. “If City Council approves this appointment, improving governance for this multi-billion dollar project will be the first file on Mr. Sparrow’s desk.”
The search committee, which included three City Councillors and senior representatives from the Mayor’s Office and City Public Service, believes that Sparrow is the right choice to help steer Winnipeg’s infrastructure strategy forward.
