Defence Infrastructure
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, as well as support operations at home and abroad, and to 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, DND will invest $135 million 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 Comox and other communities across Canada by the end of 2016.
Investment in Comox
The Government will invest close to $30 million at 19 Wing Comox The following eight projects to repair and upgrade infrastructure will be completed over the next two years.
- Military Housing – Residential Housing Units
The majority of residential housing units (RHUs) within DND’s portfolio were built between
1948 and 1960 and require modernization. The Department is continually upgrading its building systems, building envelops and interiors to make the RHUs more energy efficient and suitable for the occupants.
At 19 Wing Comox, $8 million has been allocated for the recapitalization of RHUs, which includes funding for construction costs and other project-associated expenses, such as design, project management costs and delivery.
Military Quarters on Base
In order to ensure that the military Quarters on base meet all accommodation standards, renovations will be completed. The overall project is valued at $2 million, which includes design work, construction and project management.
Airfield Repairs and Drainage Study
At 19 Wing Comox, pavement on aprons, ramps, taxiways and runways require surface repairs as a result of both age and climatic influences. A project to reconstruct the airfield surface conditions including crack sealant, pavement repairs and replacement where required, will ensure this infrastructure meets operational requirements. The overall project is valued at $3.1 million.
A separate project, valued at $1.5 million to assess the airfield drainage system and to address repair requirements will be completed by 2017.
Health and Safety
Two separate projects will be executed at Hangar 7 by 2017. The first project valued at $3.6 million, will repair and replace the roof and exterior walls of Hangar 7.
A second project, will address the interior spaces of the hangar, and will remove encapsulated asbestos and renovate areas where it has been identified. This project is valued at $5.5 million
Queen’s Ditch Flood Control
The airfield drainage ditch, known as the Queen’s Ditch, has experienced capacity issues over the years, which has resulted in flooding of neighboring properties. A $3.8 million project will repair or replace culverts, drainage basins, and other related systems. It is expected that work will be completed by 2017.
Shoreline Erosion Protection – Kye Bay
19 Wing Comox is situated on the shores of the Georgia Strait, on Vancouver Island. A $2.3 million project to protect the shoreline of Kye Bay will help to minimize erosion along the bluffs within the property and will include measures to divert water run-off, replace culverts, and implement erosion and sediment controls.
