BC engineering firm broadens horizons into the Kootenays

One of the leading innovators in the B.C. building industry, Rocky Point Engineering, has broadened its reach into the Kootenay region through its recent acquisition of Reevolution Consulting.

“Rocky Point liked what Reevolution had in the way of sustainable building experience, so as of November 1, 2011, we became employees of Rocky Point,” said Mark Harold of Reevolution about the recent acquisition.

“There was an opportunity and the skill sets of Reevolution fulfilled a need [of Rocky Point],” said Harold, adding that “it’s definitely rewarding and there’s a focus on energy efficiency in building design right now and since our merging with Rocky Point, it gives us further resources.”

Indeed, while the majority of Rocky Point Engineering projects are more mainstream, its focus is on “innovative and sustainable new building design,” values that dovetail nicely with Reevolution’s stated mandate.

Originally Reevolution Consulting consisted of a total of five employees and was founded by Emmanuel Lavoie, who heads up the Kelowna office. Today, Mark Harold manages the Nelson office and together the Reevolution Consulting team focuses its efforts on energy efficient  projects and sustainable building design. Reevolution’s core mission is to specialize in “energy, waste and water systems for inspiring, beautiful, healthy, environmentally conscious and profitable buildings.” A prime example of this directive can be seen in the team’s work on the Christina Lake Living Arts Centre.

Harold has over 20 years’ experience including 10 years focused on solar technologies and has worked in Europe, Asia and other parts of Canada. Originally from southern Ontario, Harold has a bachelors degree in mechanical engineering and earned his masters in advanced technology management at the University of British Columbia. He has lived in the Kootenays since 1995.
The merging of the two companies allows Rocky Point Engineering a valuable resource in the Kootenay region for sustainable design projects, as well as allowing it opportunities to take on local Kootenay engineering projects.

“It gives clients somebody they can go to right here in the Kootenays,” said Harold, further explaining that “energy efficiency is going to be more and more part of our lives,” and the merger will allow both companies to capitalize on that market moving forward.
With a healthy roster of past projects in his repertoire, Harold states that “the Kootenays are unique. It’s great to be part of some of the larger engineering projects here.”

For example, Harold and his team have just finished the Baldface Lodge project, where he had the prime mechanical engineering responsibility.

“It’s an exciting time and we look forward to it. When you become part of a larger company, there’s pluses and minuses, but we look forward to the positives, because there’s not a company like Rocky Point servicing the Kootenays, so when they needed services like that in the past they’d have to go to the Interior, Lower Mainland or Alberta. It’s nice to have representation here now,” said Harold.