New medical facility opens at 3 CDSB Edmonton
October 20, 2019 - Tim Bryant, Western Sentinel
Canadian Armed Forces personnel at 3rd Canadian Division Support Base (3 CDSB) Edmonton can now have all their medical needs cared for under one roof.
On Oct. 17, the new Edmonton Health Care Centre held its grand opening ribbon cutting, officially launching a new era of medical care on base.
“What we have here is a modern clinic that allows us to do medicine and dentistry the way it needs to be done,” said Colonel Dwayne Lemon, Deputy Commander Canadian Health Services Group.
The new facility is a project close to 13 years in the making. The idea to investigate a new medical facility was first discussed in 2006, but it wasn’t until 2016 when the project was sent out to tender and construction started, explained Brian Enticknap, project manager for the build.
Construction started with the ground-breaking on June 13, 2016, and the building was completed and handed over to the Department of National Defence (DND) a little more than three years later on July 29, 2019, explained Chris Labelle, Co-ordinator Construction Services with Defence Construction Canada, which oversaw the construction process.
While the grand opening took place in October, the building had been occupied and operational in stages since shortly after it was handed over to DND in July. In total, 19 different units from five different buildings on base had moved into the new facility by Sept. 10.
For Edmonton Dental Detachment Commander Lieutenant-Colonel Joel Doucette, the new “one-stop shop” facility speaks to how important the health of Canada’s military members is.
“This is basically a physical manifestation of the health services and the Canadian Armed Forces and the government to further support soldiers in terms of their health care needs,” he said. “They can actually see their care is being invested in, which gives further confidence to the system for them to know they’re getting some of the top quality care available to them in Canada.”
Moving into a single, new facility brings with it several advantages, Col Lemon said. The new building is larger than what preceded it, providing space for modern equipment. It also allows for more patient privacy, with more spaces where healthcare practitioners can speak private with patients.
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The new Edmonton Health Care Centre opened on Oct. 17, moving 19 units from five buildings around the base into one central location.
Photo by Rob Schwartz, 3rd Canadian Division Support Group Imaging
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The new Edmonton Health Care Centre at 3rd Canadian Division Support Base Edmonton officially opened its doors on Oct. 17. On hand to do the honours were (L-R) Warrant Officer Michelle Nantel; Major Margaret Fry; Chief Petty Officer 1st Class Lucie Simpson, Chief Warrant Officer of Canadian Forces Health Services Group; Colonel Dwayne Lemon, Deputy Commander Canadian Forces Health Services Group; WO Randy Bouvier; and Lieutenant-Colonel Joel Doucette, Commander 1 Dental Unit Detachment Edmonton.
In addition, it was built with an eye to the future.
“We try to look forward,” Col Lemon said. “We try to see where we need to be 10, 15, 20 years from now, and create a facility we believe will still be acceptable and modern in itself 15 to 20 years from now.”
It is a balancing act between being at the absolute leading edge and being good stewards of public dollars, he added. To that end, he said he feels the new facility positions DND in a place where immediate and substantial upgrades are not necessary.
“We’re proving ourselves enough that we’re not going to need to change it any time soon,” Col Lemon said.
Accolades for the new building came from all manner of sources, including Col Patrick Lemyre, Commander 3 CDSB Edmonton. He said he had taken a tour of the facility, and in speaking with the staff working there he saw how much they liked the building as well.
“They’re all ecstatic to be able to work in such a beautiful environment,” he said. “It helps them do their job and it helps them also deliver great service to the soldiers.”
Even his own thoughts on the building were effusive.
“It’s amazing; I can’t believe we have a clinic like this on our base,” he said.