NR - 13.333 - November 13, 2013
17 Wing Winnipeg, Manitoba — Mr. James Bezan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence and Member of Parliament for Selkirk-Interlake, and Colonel Joël Roy, 17 Wing Commander, broke ground today on a multi-use facility that will be the new home of several personnel support services for military members and families in Winnipeg.
The new facility will optimize the operations of several units whose services are essential to the morale and well being of military personnel and their families. Services will include Winnipeg’s Integrated Personnel Support Centre, Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services Offices, a Military Post Office, a Health Promotions Office, Service Income Security Insurance Plan Financial Services, and a CANEX retail outlet.
“Our men and women in uniform remain a top priority for our government,” said Mr. Bezan. “Through investments such as this, our government continues to improve access to services and benefits for our Canadian Armed Forces personnel and their families while contributing to the economic health of the region.”
“The well-being of our members is one of my highest priorities, and 17 Wing is pleased to partner with Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services in building a modern facility that will improve the services offered to our personnel and their families,” said 17 Wing Commander Colonel Joël Roy.
KDR Design Builders’ (Commercial) tender was accepted to build the $5.9 million facility on October 15, 2013. The entire project will cost $9.8 million and should be completed by early 2015.
Integrated Personnel Support Centres (IPSC) provide one-stop access to services and benefits, simplifying the process for those seeking assistance. Since the Winnipeg IPSC was first stood up in 2009, the IPSC has been working out of three different locations both inside and outside the main gate, and this project will consolidate their services under one roof.
CANEX, the Canadian Armed Forces exchange system, a division of the Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services is tasked with supporting the Canadian Armed Forces operational effectiveness, contributing to morale, esprit de corps and unit cohesion. CANEX operates retail outlets at Canadian Armed Forces Bases, Wings and Units throughout Canada. Aside from the sale of ‘Support our Troops’ apparel, the CANEX is not accessible to the general public and is not in competition with local businesses.
“CANEX is very excited to again offer retail services at 17 Wing,” said Mac McMillan, Vice-President of CANEX. “This project began as new infrastructure to replace the CANEX retail and concession services and has evolved to a multi-purpose facility for many Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services programs and services. Over the past eight years, we have been extremely fortunate to receive the support of past and present Wing Commanders and engineering staff at 17 Wing while this project was being developed.”
The new CANEX is expected to create eight to ten new jobs and generate sales of $1.1 million annually.
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