COMOX, B.C. – The Honourable Gordon O’Connor, Minister of National Defence, announced plans today for an estimated $121 million investment in infrastructure upgrades for 19 Wing Comox. These projects include a runway rehabilitation project, rehabilitation of roads and utilities, the construction of single quarters, a combined mess, and a new health care facility.
“Comox is the cornerstone of Canadian Forces air operations on the west coast of Canada,” said the Honourable Gordon O’Connor, Minister of National Defence. “With this $121 million investment in Comox’s aging facilities, we are delivering substantial economic benefits to the Province of British Columbia – as well as demonstrating a firm commitment to our Canada First Defence Strategy. Over the next ten years a new Comox will emerge, reinforcing once again our government’s dedication to our Canadian Forces.”
"These projects will support our Canadian Forces,” said General Rick Hillier, the Chief of Defence Staff. "They will maintain high morale, enabling these men and women to monitor our coastal waters, and perform vital search and rescue missions on our west coast."
The contract for the Runway Rehabilitation Project, valued at approximately $6 million, was awarded in April 2007 to JJM Construction Ltd, a Canadian company based in Delta, British Columbia. The Department of National Defence and Defence Construction Canada conducted a fair and transparent competitive process in order to initiate the runway rehabilitation construction.
The runway rehabilitation consists of repaving, drainage upgrades, and installation of new runway lighting. The construction of 70 new apartments for personnel posted to the Wing, several training quarters, and a new mess hall and kitchen facility will replace facilities that no longer meet requirements. The Utilities and Roads Rehabilitation Project will relocate the roadways on the Wing to improve traffic flow, traffic safety, and wing security. In addition, plans for a new health care facility are being developed. The existing medical/dental facility is over 63 years old, is too small to operate efficiently, and is not located in an easily accessible location at the Wing.
These projects are in the preliminary development phase and contracts have not been tendered at this time. It is still too early to provide an accurate estimation of potential employment opportunities for the region. This investment will benefit the local economy, and details will be more accurately established during the implementation phase.
19 Wing Comox is the largest single employer in the Comox Valley, located on the east coast of Vancouver Island.
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