Water, environmental, noise provisions part of data centre agreement between Bell Canada, RM of Sherwood

A rendering of Bell Canada's AI data centre set to be constructed in the RM of Sherwood, near Regina. (Source: BCE Inc.)

The RM of Sherwood has released the details of its agreement with Bell Canada (BCE) regarding the planned AI data centre in the area.

On March 16, Bell Canada CEO Mirko Bibic announced plans to build a 300-megawatt AI data centre in the rural municipality, near Regina.

The “Sherwood Data Centre,” as it’s called in the planning documents, is described as a “multi-phase industrial campus” set to cover nearly 160 acres.

According to the RM’s website, the RM and BCE have signed into an extensive agreement detailing varying provisions and each party’s responsibilities related to the construction and operation of the centre.

Disputes or the failure to adhere to the agreement could result in arbitration or revoking of permits.

Addressing concerns

The proposed data centre has been at the centre of recent controversy where opponents to its construction have raised concerns over environmental impacts, water usage and sustainability.

According to the agreement, BCE is to provide wastewater and water services in a manner satisfactory to the RM, the Saskatchewan Health Authority and the province’s Water Security Agency.

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Bell has confirmed there will be no groundwater use for onsite activities and potable water shall not be utilized for processing or cooling purposes.

Some opponents have also raised concerns about noise pollution from the centre.

Prior to the issuing of building permits, Bell is required to submit pre-development acoustic assessments and adhere to noise mitigation practices during construction.

After construction, BCE is to perform another acoustic assessment within six months of the operational commissioning to confirm its compliance.

Noise generated by regular operations including generators, chillers, transformers and mechanical systems, shall not exceed 70 decibels or pre-development ambient sound levels, whichever is lesser.

Light impacts have also been addressed.

The agreement states all exterior lighting is to conform to dark-sky best practices, be fully shielded, directed downwards and designed to prevent light trespass onto adjacent properties and roadways.

Bell will also be responsible for upgrading several roadways in the area to make them suitable for construction traffic.

RM responsibilities

In addition to Bell’s responsibilities, the RM of Sherwood has signed onto several provisions.

The municipality has agreed to inspect any completed improvements that are the responsibility of the applicant no later than 14 days from a request to do so and where there are no defects or deficiencies apparent at the time.

RM officials must also advise Bell within seven days that the inspected improvements are satisfactory or if any defects require correction.

The RM will also allow BCE to enter onto any land owned by Sherwood as long as it is within the bounds of the development lands to undertake any improvements or maintenance.

The full agreement may be found here.

Council meeting

These provisions come as council members are set to debate the centre’s approval.

According to the agenda posted to the RM’s website, council may approve the development’s plans at its regular meeting Monday.

At least nine people have registered to appear as delegates and have submitted their presentations to RM administration ahead of the meeting.

The planned facility is part of Bell Canada’s bid to become the nation’s leading provider of “sovereign” AI compute.

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According to Bell, the centre would be the largest purpose-built data centre in Canada and will bring $12 billion in investment to the province – one of the largest single investments in Saskatchewan’s history.

The facility will be built in partnership with George Gordon First Nation, as George Gordon Developments owns land near the site of the future data centre.

Construction is scheduled to start in the spring and will come online in stages, beginning in the first half of 2027.

-With files from David Prisciak

CTV News is a division of Bell Media, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of BCE Inc.

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