NR 10.106 - September 10, 2010
GREENWOOD, N.S. - Member of Parliament for West Nova Greg Kerr, on behalf of the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, today attended the sod turning ceremony for the construction of a new health services centre at 14 Wing Greenwood, an air force base best known for protecting and maintaining sovereignty and surveillance over the Atlantic Ocean as well as providing search and rescue capabilities 365 days a year. Minister MacKay first announced this project in September 2009, which is valued at approximately $25.4 million.
“Today’s event illustrates the Government is committed to following through on its Canada First Defence Strategy commitments to revitalize Canadian Forces facilities,” said Mr. Kerr. “This new health services centre will ensure Canadian Forces personnel continue to receive the first-class medical care they need to stay healthy and perform their essential duties both here and around the world.”
This project involves the construction of a two-storey facility that will significantly improve the standard of health care provided at 14 Wing Greenwood. The wing is home to approximately 1,600 military and 400 civilian personnel.
In line with the Canada First Defence Strategy, there is a need to update and replace dated defence infrastructure in order to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
The Government of Canada conducted an open, fair, and transparent competitive process to award the contract for the construction of the new health services centre at 14 Wing Greenwood. MP Kerr also announced that DND is contributing $4.5 million to the Municipality of the County of Kings in order for the municipality to upgrade, manage and maintain the water and sanitary systems at Clements Park, a former Wing housing site. This is another example of DND working in collaboration with local communities.
The Department of National Defence 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.
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Notes to editor / news director: For further information please see the backgrounder on defence infrastructure at 14 Wing Greenwood at http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/news-nouvelles/news-nouvelles-eng.asp?cat=03
