GANDER, Nfld. – The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway, announced two infrastructure projects today for 9 Wing Gander. These projects bring significant economic benefits to the Gander area, including more than 225 direct employment opportunitiesover the course of the work.
The announcement represents an overall investment of approximately $42.5 million and includes the construction of a facility to house 91 Construction Engineering Flight (91 CEF), as well as the construction of two multi-purpose facilities to consolidate 9 Wing support units.
“Our Government’s Canada First Defence Strategy drives a significant infrastructure plan that delivers results for the Canadian Forces,” said Minister MacKay. “These investments in infrastructure also generate economic benefits in communities across Canada and today’s announcement brings good news to the Gander region.”
One of the two projects announced today will see the construction of a new 1358 m2 purpose-built facility to replace the building that currently houses 91 CEF, a reserve heavy construction engineering unit. The aging building is no longer large enough to accommodate the growing reserve unit. Construction is expected to start in spring 2010.
The second project involves the construction of two multi-purpose facilities to be built on property leased from the Gander International Airport Authority. This project will update infrastructure and consolidate 9 Wing support units into two buildings, improving the overall effectiveness of Wing support operations. This is a two-phased project, with construction of phase one expected in spring 2011 and phase two in 2015.
DND holds a large number of properties across the country to support the Canadian Forces, including some 21,000 buildings; 2.25 million hectares of land; 5,500 km of roads; and 3,000 km of water, storm and sewer pipes.
The implementation of the Government of Canada’s Canada First Defence Strategy reinforces a renewed commitment to domestic security, creating increased investments in defence infrastructure that will generate economic benefits for Canadian industry.
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