Atco nets major contract for BHP's Jansen mine

Atco Ltd. said Monday it has been chosen to build housing for workers at BHP Billiton's Jansen potash mine – the biggest Canadian contract in the company's history.

Atco said it's a "multimillion-dollar" contract, but did not disclose an exact amount.

Atco Structures & Logistics Ltd. will design, build and operate a 2,586-person lodge at the mine site, north of Regina.

"Our reputation for designing, building and operating large mining accommodations throughout the world, in addition to our ability to execute at a very high level, set the stage for this project," president and chief operating officer Harry Wilmot said in a release.

"A contract to build a mining accommodation of this scope and scale reinforces our long-standing reputation for having the capacity to deliver a large and comfortable work force housing lodge."

The lodge includes a 20,000-square-foot sports complex and a 200-seat movie theatre.

It also has a 1,200-person dining room, private dining area, lounge, library, convenience store, medical centre and full laundry service.

Each 160-square-foot room will include a flat-screen TV, phone and wireless Internet capabilities.

The first 500-room facility is expected to be up and running in October, with the entire lodge set to be complete in mid-2013.