Three Sisters Village Phase 1 – Earthworks & Underground
Client:
Three Sisters Mountain Village Properties Limited c/o Quantum Place Developments Ltd.
Location:
Canmore, Alberta
Year:
2025
Project Scope
Whissell served as Contractor for the full Phase 1 civil development of the Three Sisters Mountain Village in Canmore, a complex residential subdivision project requiring large-scale earthworks, stormwater infrastructure, deep utility installation, and road construction in a challenging mountainous environment with strict Town of Canmore engineering and environmental standards.
- 310,000 m³ of grading, clearing, and grubbing; creek slope rehabilitation
- Net earthworks cut of approximately 234,825 m³ with extensive stockpile management across multiple designated areas
- Stormwater pond construction with a compacted clay liner system and riprap/cable concrete matting erosion protection
- Storm sewer installation using 375 mm–1,200 mm PVC and concrete pipe
- Deep utility installation: sanitary sewer, watermains, and storm infrastructure for the new subdivision
- Road construction to subgrade including granular placement, curbs, and sidewalks
- Construction of a new all-weather emergency access road
- Comprehensive erosion and sediment control (ESC) measures throughout all phases, inspected every 7 days and following significant precipitation events
Challenge & Mitigation
The mountainous terrain introduced significant cut/fill imbalances and required precise stockpile management across multiple designated areas to maintain material availability for ongoing fill operations. Strict Town of Canmore Engineering Design and Construction Guidelines mandated geotechnical engineer approval for all fill placement and compaction, adding a layer of quality oversight that required continuous coordination between Whissell's field team and the project geotechnical consultant. Creek slope rehabilitation added environmental sensitivity to an already complex earthworks program.
Value Add Solution
Whissell's early engagement with the geotechnical team and proactive ESC management allowed the project to proceed through the sensitive Canmore environment without regulatory delays. The team's experience managing large-volume cut/fill operations in constrained mountain topography enabled efficient material sequencing that minimized double-handling and kept the earthworks program on schedule.
