In November 2014, the Department of National Defence received $452 million for the repair and upgrade of Canadian Armed Forces facilities. Revitalized defence infrastructure across Canada will provide the Canadian Armed Forces with the facilities they need to support troops, military families and Reserve forces, to support operations at home and abroad, and ensure the health and safety of our men and women in uniform.
The Department of National Defence has identified an opportunity to perform a number of improvements at its Armouries across Canada. Over the next two years, $135 million will be invested in projects to repair roofs, siding, plumbing, and heating and ventilation systems.
The Government estimates that accelerated investments will also support the creation of more than 10,000 jobs in communities across Canada by the end of 2016.
At Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt, three projects worth a total of a $17.8 million will repair one of two large caissons at the site’s dry dock facility, improve residential housing and enhance physical security.
This project will ensure that CFB Esquimalt’s only dry dock remains available to Canadian ships and vessels.
The dry dock at Her Majesty’s Canadian Dockyard Esquimalt (HMC Dockyard) is a 150-year-old strategic asset used to maintain, repair and overhaul naval vessels. A caisson, a gate to seal the water side entrance to the dry dock, is needed so it can be drained for use. There are two caissons at CFB Esquimalt. This project will repair caisson No. 1, which was built in 1945, but has been out of service for a decade. Caisson No. 2 was built in 1970 and remains in use.
Among its deficiencies, Caisson No. 1 is too short, which allows high tides to surge over the top. This is a safety hazard for workers inside the dry dock. A one-metre extension will be added to the caisson to keep the dry dock watertight.
Repairs to Caisson No. 1 are necessary as Caisson No. 2 also shows signs of wear. Caisson No. 2 will require moderate maintenance and will serve as the backup caisson. Without a working caisson, the dry dock is unusable and would suffer structural damage from prolonged exposure to sea water.
Work is expected to begin in March 2016 and will take approximately 11 months to complete.
An infrastructure project investment will be initiated to support military personnel and their families and enhance the quality of life for those who live in Belmont Park at CFB Esquimalt.
Funding is allotted to cover expenses for the construction of new residential housing units (RHU) in Belmont Park. These new units are required to replace existing units that have reached the end of their life cycle.
Work will involve interior and exterior upgrades including the renovation of kitchens in existing residential housing units at the site. The upgrades are necessary to meet current standards.
Another project will take place to enhance physical security at CFB Esquimalt.
Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt is Canada’s only naval base on the West Coast. CFB Esquimalt is home to Maritime Forces Pacific (MARPAC), Joint Task Force (Pacific) and Canadian Fleet Pacific. The site employs approximately 4,000 military personnel and 2,000 civilian Department of National Defence employees. MARPAC generates, maintains and sustains an armed capability to guard Canada's Pacific maritime approaches, and contributes forces to meet national, domestic and overseas commitments to enhance international peace and security.
