NR -10.104 - September 9, 2010
GAGETOWN, N.B. – Today, the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, announced three projects for Canadian Forces Base Gagetown that will help boost the local economy and create jobs in New Brunswick. Valued at approximately $61 million, these projects support the revitalization of key infrastructure and equipment at CFB Gagetown one of the largest bases in Canada.
“CFB Gagetown is a vital component for military training and operations and this announcement ensures that it has the up-to-date infrastructure needed to stay that way,” said Minister MacKay. “The government is committed to providing the Canadian Forces the facilities and equipment to do their jobs and their training safely and effectively.”
Minister MacKay announced extensive renovations to the existing health services centre which provides health services to the almost ten thousand occupants of CFB Gagetown. This project is in the early design phase, and design work for this project will be underway in the next 12 months. This project will improve the operational readiness of care, and deliver new and increased levels of service for the future at CFB Gagetown. The base is currently home to approximately 4,000 military and 400 civilian personnel.
Minister MacKay also announced a $15.4 million contract for the acquisition of up to 2,110 field space heaters and up to 520 water heaters under the Field Heater Replacement Project. These modern, high-efficiency, and sustainable field space and water heaters are essential to the health and comfort of Canadian Forces members on winter exercises.
Minister MacKay also announced that Phase three of a five-phased project to replace the aging utilities distribution systems is progressing steadily, and is anticipated to be complete in the coming months.
In line with the Canada First Defence Strategy, there is a need to update and replace dated defence infrastructure to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
“CFB Gagetown provides thousands of jobs for military and civilian workers here in New Brunswick,” said Fredericton Member of Parliament Keith Ashfield. “I am proud that our Government’s investments will both improve the day to day functioning on the base, while providing employment and economic benefits to the Fredericton area.”
The Government of Canada will conduct open, fair, and transparent competition processes in order to award the contracts at CFB Gagetown.
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 informationon defence infrastructure at CFB Gagetown, please see the backgrounder at http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/news-nouvelles/news-nouvelles-eng.asp?cat=03
