NR – 09.061 - July 21, 2009
COMOX, B.C. – CANEX, the retailer for Canadian Forces Personnel and Family Support Services, has awarded a contract for approximately $4.3 million to Georgia View Ventures of Nanaimo, B.C., for the construction of a new building at 19 Wing Comox. This building will house a CANEX store, which meets the needs of the military community. This contract award will generate economic benefits to the local area, including an estimated 20 direct employment opportunities over the course of construction.
“CANEX stores and services are an important part of the Canadian Forces community,” said the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway. “This contract will update and modernize an aging CANEX facility and provide an economic boost to the greater community.”
"The CANEX facility at 19 Wing Comox is an integral part of the base community," said Member of Parliament John Duncan. "This project will improve this well-used service as well as provide economic benefits to the Comox Valley. It is further evidence of our ongoing commitment to the military and is very welcome."
CANEX and Defence Construction Canada conducted an open, fair and transparent competitive process in order to award the contract for the construction of the new CANEX building at 19 Wing Comox.
Established in 1968, CANEX is a retail operation made up of a number of stores and services, designed specifically to meet the needs of the military community. Profits from CANEX operations are not only used to provide funding for social and recreational programs, but also used to financially assist special projects, like this one, through grants that are not subject to public funds. Updating the CANEX store facility will ensure that it continues to meet the needs of its customers well into the future.
To enhance the visibility and overall look of CANEX, the new building will be constructed in front of the current structure; closer to the corner of Ryan and Aviation Rd. While construction is ongoing, the existing CANEX will remain open.
DND holds a large number of properties all 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.
