Healthcare for CAF personnel at 22 Wing to Get a Much-Anticipated Boost
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Work is ongoing for 22 Wing's new Health Services Centre. The project is expected to be completed by fall 2021. Photo credit: Alain Gauthier, Defence Construction Canada
This May, workers broke ground on a new $18-million health services centre at 22 Wing, which is expected to be completed by fall 2021. This new facility will replace the old barrack block turned healthcare centre built in the 1960s, which the Wing has outgrown given the increasing number of Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members in North Bay.
Capt. Sarah Homer, acting Detachment Commander of 31 Canadian Forces Health Services, is looking forward to the many benefits of the new facility. “Under the Primary Care Renewal Initiative, the new health services centre will address the difficulty members at 22 Wing have had in receiving continuity of care while part of the transient military lifestyle. We look forward to providing care under one roof by civilian and military doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, medical technicians, mental health professionals, dentists, physiotherapists, pharmacists, and administrative staff.”
The medical clinic will include a command and administrative area, primary care services, care delivery and treatment area, mental health services, immunization, preventive medicine, and training services. The dental clinic will include dental and x-ray rooms, and hygienist services.
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Rendering of new 22 Wing Health Services Centre
This project is part of a larger commitment in Canada’s defence policy Strong, Secure, Engaged, to support the mental and physical health of our CAF personnel. And like many of DND’s infrastructure projects, this work has a broad range of additional benefits, such as supporting industry, the local economy, and environmental and climate change goals.
“It is an exciting time for the members of 22 Wing as we await, in anticipation, the new health services centre,” said Colonel Mark Lachapelle, 22 Wing and Canadian Air Defence Sector Commander. “This modern medical facility will provide access to medical, dental and mental health care all under one roof, and is another example of the importance the Canadian Armed Forces places on the health and welfare of its people.”
The 2,100-m2 facility will also contain multiple green features. Energy efficient lighting, heating and cooling systems, and sensors will optimize the building’s energy use and make it more comfortable for personnel. “DND is building all of our new facilities with greening in mind. We want to provide our personnel with quality, functional facilities, while also lowering our carbon footprint and achieving energy savings,” says DND project manager, Khalid Bashir. “We’re also making our building portfolio more efficient by replacing older, obsolete infrastructure.”
Since 2006, DND has invested in 13 health services centre infrastructure projects. Five are complete and five are in construction, representing a total investment of about $378 million.
Three more projects are in development, with an estimated total value of $193 million. By investing in our health care infrastructure, we are ensuring the delivery of high-quality and timely health care services to CAF members across Canada, including those at 22 Wing, which directly contributes to their operational readiness. The Government of Canada’s ongoing investments in defence infrastructure are helping provide some wind in Canada’s economic sails during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Locally, the project will create more than 50 jobs in North Bay during construction, and provide additional economic opportunities for businesses in the area. “22 Wing is a cornerstone of our community in North Bay. I am pleased to see the Government of Canada’s commitment continue as it makes investments in the Wing that put our women and men in uniform first. The construction of the new health centre also provides important stimulus in the face of the challenges brought on by COVID-19,” said local Member of Parliament, Anthony Rota.
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Work is ongoing for 22 Wing's new Health Services Centre. Photo credit: Alain Gauthier, Defence Construction Canada
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