New Community Centre at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright

July 21, 2021 – Defence Stories

Under Canada’s defence policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged, the Government of Canada is investing in Defence infrastructure to ensure military personnel and their families have access to modern and functional facilities that support the needs of a military members and their families.

With this in mind, we have finished construction on a modern and green community centre for personnel and their families at Garrison Wainwright. This $18.5-million facility brings together several groups that were dispersed across the base into a single facility to provide services for military members and their families. The new facility includes a Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC), a Children’s Daycare Centre, the Personnel Support Program’s Community Recreation Association and the Canadian Forces Housing Agency. Consolidating all military family support services under one roof is already creating better coordination and improved access to services at the Garrison.

The Wainwright MFRC’s Board of Directors is looking forward to supporting military members and their families in the new Community Centre. “We are excited about the opportunities for collaboration that this new shared space will encourage.” said Vanessa Williams, Chairperson for the WMFRC Board of Directors. “We have worked hard throughout the past two years to implement our three-year strategic plan, which concludes with the transition to a new facility. This project has been on the books for many years, and we are pleased to be able to present this new location to our deserving members. Together, we will create a positive and welcoming space that will address the unique needs and challenges of the Wainwright community.”

As a family-focused community hub, the facility is accessible by military families living both on and off the base. With about 35 staff, it features modern office spaces that support the efficient delivery of high-quality services for military families, as well as multi-purpose recreational rooms, a conference room, and a library. New childcare facilities have been designed to provide about 35 childcare spaces for children 12 months and older, and include a safe and secure playground, storage area, and dedicated parking area.

The design work for this facility was completed by Wood E&I Solutions of Dartmouth, NS for $1.68 million, and the construction contract was awarded to Pomerleau Inc. of Calgary, AB, for $11.4 million in July 2019. Approximately 60 jobs were sustained throughout the construction phase, providing economic opportunities for the region. This project also includes the demolition of the facility previously used as a community centre, which is at the end of its useful life and beyond economical repair. This will occur in fall 2021.

“Providing our military personnel with communal facilities to support their families while at the same time creating economic opportunities for industry in the region is a win-win for all Canadians,” said the Honourable Jim Carr, Minister and Special Representative for the Prairies.

In line with the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy and the Defence Energy and Environment Strategy, this building has been constructed to the Three Green Globes certification, and features an energy-efficient heating and cooling system, LED lighting, low-water use plumbing, and more. By modernizing and greening our defence infrastructure, we are supporting the needs of a modern military and military families, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and saving on energy costs.