News Release
NR07.019 - April 4, 2007
ST. JOHN'S, NL The Honourable Gordon O'Connor, Minister of National Defence, joined the Honourable Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and Minister responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador at the Canadian Forces Station (CFS) St. John's to announce that a new multi-purpose facility will be constructed at Pleasantville in St. John's, replacing the current 16 military facilities located across Pleasantville.
Through a planned federal investment of $101 million, this new multi-purpose facility will replace facilities built 60 years ago which are increasingly costly to maintain. The facility is intended to be built over the next few years, and will comprise of operational training space, offices and classrooms, special medical and dental facilities, and warehouse space.
The consolidation will not change the role or functions of the 711 Canadian Forces (CF) members and Department of National Defence (DND) employees working at CFS St. John's or its lodger units.
"Canada's New Government is proud to announce a project that is long overdue for the Canadian Forces Station St. John's. The current facilities in St. John's are aging, widely dispersed and simply incapable of meeting the current and future requirements of this region," said Minister O'Connor. "Once complete, this new multi-purpose facility will enable the Canadian Forces to consolidate these units in a modern, multi-purpose facility that will better support operations. This is good news for the Canadian Forces and the City of St. John's."
"This is a major economic benefit for the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, and is a sign of the Government of Canada's commitment to maintaining a vital military presence in the region," said Minister Hearn. "Investing in the new facility for CF members and DND employees at Pleasantville will generate significant employment and provide a major boost the local economy."
In the coming months, DND and Defence Construction Canada will develop an open, fair and transparent competitive process in order to initiate the construction of the new facility.
There has been a military presence in Pleasantville since World War I. As per recent agreements, the Department has been leasing the land from a The Canada Lands Company, which purchased the site from Public Works and Government Services of Canada in 2006.
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For further information :
Pleasantville Consolidation, St. John's
[ Backgrounder - 4 April 2007 ]
