CFB GAGETOWN, NB - The $55-million complex that will house the 2 nd Battalion, the Royal Canadian Regiment (2 RCR) at CFB Gagetown will head into its final construction phase this summer. The Department of National Defence will soon tender a contract worth over $10-million to complete the interior of the operations facility, one of two new state-of-the-art buildings to house the 700-member unit. Minister of National Defence Bill Graham announced this news to soldiers at CFB Gagetown during a visit to the base today. "Part of our recent Defence Policy Statement outlines a sustainable program of investment in infrastructure, among other things, to enhance the CF's operational ability," said Minister Graham. "We will continue to invest in base infrastructure and the infrastructure required to support our equipment, such as 2 RCR's light armoured vehicles." The 2 RCR garrison project consolidates a number of separate facilities into one central complex, comprised of two buildings; the maintenance and transport building and the operations building. A total floor space of 24,960 square metres will be constructed, which is nearly twice the space occupied by the unit. The construction will be followed by the demolition of 13 buildings ¿ 15,370 square metres of floor space ¿ currently being used as unit infrastructure. These buildings date back to the mid-1950s and are spread out over several acres, which makes daily operations and logistics cumbersome and inefficient. "Canadians are justifiably proud of the contribution made by members of the Royal Canadian Regiment in operations around the world," said General Rick Hillier, Chief of the Defence Staff. "The construction of the 2 RCR garrison complex will provide comfortable, modern and functional facilities that will greatly improve training and preparation for operations, at home and abroad." "The investment in infrastructure at CFB Gagetown is welcome news for the CF members and civilian staff who work on the base, the area construction industry and the Town of Oromocto, as a whole," said Andy Scott, Member of Parliament for Fredericton and Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs. Approximately 455 people have been or will be employed over the life of the garrison project. -30-
