COMOX, B.C. – The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, today announced defence infrastructure projects that will help modernize facilities at 19 Wing Comox, including a new health services centre and work on existing facilities. Improvements to this base, which is home to two operational squadrons for Long Range Patrol and Search and Rescue, represent an investment of approximately $30 million and will generate economic benefits and significant employment opportunities throughout the course of the work.
“I am proud to announce that our government is continuing to invest in our men and women in uniform,” said Minister MacKay. “This important infrastructure investment embodies our government’s commitment to the health and well-being of our Canadian Forces, and to the creation of economic opportunities for Canadians across the country.”
Within the next year, 19 Wing Comox will see the completion of the new health services centre. The 4,066 m2 health care facility will provide comprehensive medical and dental services for the military members at the base, which currently has a population of almost 1,000 military and 300 civilian personnel.
Minister MacKay also announced the completed construction of an addition to an existing base building for the Wing Auxiliary Security Force (WASF) operations centre and the Small Arms Trainer (SAT) facility. This facility provides the additional space required to continue ongoing training at 19 Wing Comox of Military Police (MP), Wing Auxiliary Security Force (WASF) personnel, and deployed personnel through the Readiness Training Flight (RTF).
The Government of Canada conducted open, fair, transparent and competitive processes in order to award the contracts for the projects at 19 Wing Comox.
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 informationplease see the fact sheets on defence infrastructure at 19 Wing Comox at http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/news-nouvelles/news-nouvelles-eng.asp?cat=18.
