PCL Construction is a leader in the construction industry, known for delivering landmark buildings and large-scale renovations. While their portfolio includes the high-profile restoration of Parliament Hill and the revitalization of the National Arts Centre, PCL’s impact extends far beyond these notable projects.
Smaller projects that don’t always grab headlines play a crucial role in strengthening the social fabric of our communities. This is where United Way East Ontario’s partnership with PCL Contruction on the Hard Hat Heroes (HHH) Neighbourhood Improvement Grant Program comes in. Together, we’re improving equity, inclusion, accessibility, food security, connection, and belonging by building important community spaces.
2025 marks the 10th anniversary of Hard Hat Heroes. Since the program first launched in 2015, we have partnered with PCL to deliver capital building projects that create a direct and lasting impact on resident wellbeing. This includes building community kitchens, renovating senior living spaces, expanding youth recreation areas, and revitalizing local gardens. Each Hard Hat Heroes project concludes with a celebration that brings together local residents, United Way team members, PCL Construction, community agencies, city councillors, and other stakeholders to celebrate the new spaces. These gatherings are a testament to the collaborative efforts that strengthen our communities. “Our PCL team takes immense pride in making a positive impact in our community, and working with United Way on the Hard Hat Heroes program allows us to do that by doing what we do best: building,” said PCL Ottawa’s Senior Vice President and District Manager, Paul Knowles. “And it’s all thanks to the expertise and dedication of our staff who year-after-year show their commitment to supporting their neighbours. Being reminded of all the HHH projects they’ve brought to life makes me proud to work with them each day, and incredibly optimistic about the future of programs like HHH that make a difference for everyone in the region.”
With each new year, PCL employees come together to support these meaningful projects through personal donations and corporate contributions. PCL Construction not only provides financial backing but also contributes its expertise and resources to the physical construction of the projects. United Way East Ontario manages the application process, working closely with local residents to identify projects that will have the greatest positive impact. Together, we ensure that each project is a true reflection of the community’s goals and needs.
See what Hard Hat Heroes has made possible over the past decade:
- The Rideau Rockcliffe Community Resource Centre (RRCRC) is a hub for social support and services, providing safe and inclusive spaces for residents in the Rideau-Rockcliffe area.
- A Hard Hat Heroes grant helped RRCRC update their community kitchen to create a versatile space for cooking, workshops, shared meals, food safety and education, all while building connection and belonging for residents. RRCRC plans to use the space to support individuals staying in shelters, newcomers, and other vulnerable people that don’t have access to a kitchen space.
- The Confederation Court Community House has run a food bank out of their kitchen for over two decades. In 2022, the Food Bank Program served 134 families in the direct community and over 100 in the surrounding area. Many of these families are single parents, individuals with disabilities, newcomers to Canada, and those living in lower income households.
- The community quickly outgrew the narrow space and sought to relocate their food bank to a shed on their property. The Hard Hat Heroes grant fueled the remodeling of the shed into a functioning community food bank. The new space offers a “shopping cart” model, allowing residents more agency, dignity, accessibility and choice in picking groceries for their family.
- Residents in the Lebreton community were lacking a space to gather indoors during Ottawa’s long, harsh winters and extremely hot summers.
- Through Hard Hat Heroes, an unused storage space was renovated into a multipurpose community room that can be used all year. The new space is fully accessible, offering opportunities to host events, meetings, workshops, and gatherings for generations to come.
- In 2020, the community kitchen at Regina Towers served around 130 people each week. However, as the need for meal programs increased, the existing kitchen was not meeting the changing needs of their residents.
- With the support of a Hard Hat Heroes grant, the kitchen was renovated to accommodate more residents and meals, with greater storage and countertop space for preparing food and cooking together. The renovation included tearing down walls to create an open, accessible space that has the flexibility to offer meal programs, mental health programming, and any other needs identified by residents.
- Blair House is an Ottawa Community Housing seniors’ building. Their garden space, which was intended to promote social life, was underused due to safety concerns, lack of privacy and little seating.
- Through PCL Construction’s Hard Hat Heroes grant program, the underused side yard was revamped into a safe, inclusive, private space for residents to gather, garden, and enjoy together. The yard is now a space for physical activity, social interactions, and a sense of belonging for the seniors that call Blair House their home.
- For kids growing up in rural communities, distance, transportation, and accessibility are often barriers to learning and growing.
- The Youth of Manotick Association (YOMA) set out to address this community need by expanding an old arena to be more conducive to programs supporting rural youth. With United Way and PCL’s support, the space was updated with increased storage, cabinetry and shelving, as well as a projector, screen, and stage. This provided a permanent and safe space for youth to socialize and learn.
- In 2016, a community garden at the Carlington Community Health Centre closed to make room for a new health services centre and 42 social housing units for seniors. The garden had been a cornerstone of the community since 1997 promoting food security and community belonging.
- With the support of PCL’s Hard Hat Heroes grant program, a new community garden was developed, allowing residents to enjoy fresh, healthy produce, learn about food production, connect with their community, and stay active.
- The Winthrop Court Community House was outgrowing their kitchen and needed additional space to increase programming for people of all ages, but especially for youth. A Hard Hat Heroes grant enabled the Community House to renovate their kitchen into an accessible and improved space with increased storage, functionality and versatility.
- The community kitchen can now accommodate bulk food purchases, deliver programming (like nutrition workshops, cooking programs, kitchen safety classes and more), and provide a better space for their youth homework club.
- PCL built a gazebo on the lawn north of the Golden Manor seniors’ apartments, which encouraged tenants to socialize, gather outside of their apartments and engage with their neighbours, all in service of preventing isolation.
- The space was turned into a welcoming area with a gazebo, shade, seating, electrical outlets, gardens, landscaping, and accessible walkways.
- Through Hard Hat Heroes, a rusted and rundown play structure in the Parkwood Hills neighbourhood was torn down and, in its place, a new, accessible play structure was built.
- The play structure and swing set continues to be an asset to the community, providing a safe, accessible, and inclusive space for social and recreational activities.
Stay tuned for 2025: Morrison Gardens community portable
The Morrison Gardens community portable has been an important space for decades, providing a hub for social activities, educational programs, community gatherings, and more. Stay tuned for this next Hard Hat Heroes project which will further enhance this cherished space.
United Way East Ontario works closely with PCL Construction to bring the Hard Hat Heroes (HHH) Neighbourhood Improvement Grant Program to life. This partnership is about more than just construction—it’s about making a lasting impact on local communities. Through Hard Hat Heroes, we’ve invested in projects that improve equity, accessibility, and connection. These projects may not always make the headlines, but they play an essential role in strengthening our neighbourhoods.
From creating community kitchens to building accessible spaces for youth and seniors, each project reflects the needs and goals of the communities they serve. Together, we are investing in our community—one project at a time.
