For Rob Black, great projects aren’t just defined by scale, they’re defined by the people and problem-solving that bring them to life. In his role as Deputy Project Director on the City of Winnipeg’s NEWPCC Headworks Facility Upgrade, Rob found plenty of both.

A Project Defined by Scale and Complexity

The NEWPCC Headworks Facility Upgrade is one of the largest and most technically complex wastewater infrastructure projects in the region. Delivered through a design-build partnership, the project encompasses an wide range of work, from tunneling through soft, flowable clays and installing rock-socketed piles into fractured bedrock, to designing and outfitting a large control room suite and supporting facilities.

For Rob, the diversity of challenges made the project stand apart.

“I’ve worked on projects with diverse scopes before, but this one is larger and more complex,” Rob said. “There have been endless opportunities for solution finding and learning.”

Leadership Through Partnership

Serving as Deputy Project Director, Rob represents ORCC in its partnership with Aecon Water Infrastructure. His role extends across multiple aspects of project delivery, including design reviews, work planning, safety management, and supporting the team wherever his experience can provide value.

Through the design-build delivery model, Rob and the team have been able to collaborate across disciplines, driving innovation and maintaining progress on a demanding, fast‑moving project.

Engineering Solutions in Real Time

One of Rob’s most memorable challenges involved installing temporary steel liners and bypass piping within large-diameter sewer lines that had to remain in service throughout construction.

With no commercially available solution to properly seal the annular space between the existing sewer and the new liner during grouting operations, Rob took a hands-on approach. He designed and fabricated custom inflatable seals, purchasing materials and tools to build multiple sets for installation and contingency use.

The solution worked exactly as intended, allowing liner installation and grouting operations to proceed safely and without complications, an example of the innovation and field-driven problem solving that defines the project.

Lessons That Last

While the NEWPCC project has delivered technical challenges and engineering innovation, Rob says the most valuable takeaway has been the team itself.

“The key lesson from this project is my appreciation for the skill and commitment of a great team,” Rob explained. “Working with people who are engaged, solution-focused, and willing to learn makes difficult work and decisions easier. It’s great to see people collaborate and support each other. People are key.”

Building More Than Infrastructure

The NEWPCC Headworks Facility Upgrade represents a major investment in Winnipeg’s wastewater treatment infrastructure, strengthening system reliability and capacity for the future. For Rob, it also represents something equally important, the opportunity to work alongside a team committed to tackling complex challenges and delivering meaningful results for the community.

Projects of this magnitude are built on engineering, planning, and construction expertise. But as Rob’s experience highlights, they are ultimately built on teamwork, creativity, and shared commitment.