NR – 12.144 - July 9, 2012
CFB SUFFIELD - The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, today announced the construction of two new buildings and various other improvements at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Suffield, representing a total investment by the Government of Canada and the United Kingdom of $17.3 million. These projects include of the construction of a new Range Control Facility, the replacement of the Base’s Fire Hall Building, and seven contract awards for improvements across the base.
“I’m very pleased to announce upgrades for CFB Suffield that will support both the men and women of our Canadian Forces and our British allies and friends who work here alongside them,” said Minister MacKay. “These projects will give personnel the modern facilities they need, and serve to boost the local economy and support jobs right here in the nearby communities.”
The new Range Control building is a multi-purpose facility that will house offices and administration areas, accommodations for the duty staff, and garages for equipment and vehicle storage. The facility will also be the coordinating centre for all military air and ground traffic in the military training area.
The new Fire Hall Building will be a modern, purpose-built facility designed to accommodate the expanded personnel, vehicles and equipment required for CFB Suffield’s Fire Department. This 2 174 m2 fire hall building will replace the current facility, which can no longer accommodate the needs of the Fire Department. The new building will include a vehicle garage, workshop, storage area, accommodations, as well as administrative and training spaces.
CFB Suffield houses both British Army Training Unit Suffield and Defence Research Development Canada – Suffield. Canada and the United Kingdom are sharing the costs for both of the two new facilities.
The two construction projects are scheduled to be complete this August and September respectively. After fit-up of both buildings is complete, occupancy is scheduled to occur during Fall 2012. The construction contracts for both projects were awarded to Wahl Construction of Medicine Hat, Alberta, through two separate open, fair, and transparent tender processes.
Minister MacKay also announced over $1.1 million for a total of seven contracts to Alberta and Saskatchewan companies for various improvements to base infrastructure.
Canadian Forces Base Suffield is located in southeastern Alberta. It spans over 2 690 km2 and is one of the largest live-fire training areas in the western world.
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For more information on infrastructure projects at CFB Suffield, please refer to: http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/news-nouvelles/news-nouvelles-eng.asp?id=4300
