A proposed artificial intelligence data centre in the Spruce Lake Industrial Park is drawing both interest and skepticism from residents in the nearby Lorneville community.

The project, led by Texas‑based VoltaGrid and Calgary‑based Beacon AI Centres, was the focus of a standing‑room‑only open house on Wednesday night.

Company officials answered questions for more than two hours about what the facility could mean for the region.

Nathan Ough, president and CEO of VoltaGrid, told residents the project would represent one of the company’s largest undertakings.

“This is one of the biggest capital investments we will make as a company,” Ough said.

He added the facility would operate continuously and pledged it would not rely on water for cooling.

“I will commit to it in stone that VoltaGrid will consume zero water consumption other than any water from the toilet,” he said.

Ough also emphasized the company’s commitment to high standards.

“Everything we will do on this site will be at the humanly highest possible standard that we can physically build to,” he told Lorneville residents at the meeting.

The project is proposed for a 120‑hectare parcel of land that was rezoned earlier this year as part of the Spruce Lake Industrial Park expansion.

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If approved through the environmental impact assessment process, construction could begin within 12 months.

The companies say the build would require more than 1,300 jobs, with about 210 permanent positions once the site is operational in 2028.

Residents at the meeting raised concerns about drinking water, proximity to homes, and the loss of forested land.

The Save Lorneville group has previously argued that the rezoning and environmental assessment overlooked significant risks, including old‑growth trees and rare wetland features.

Some residents said they appreciated the chance to ask questions directly, but others vowed to continue opposing the project.