Alberta military base to receive more than $17-million in upgrades
by Canadian Manufacturing Daily Staff
Bills for construction of new control facility, fire hall, to be split between Canadian, British governments
Ralston, Alta.—Both the Canadian and British governments announced more than $17-million in improvements to a shared military base in southern Alberta.
Defence Minister Peter MacKay announced the improvements—including the construction of two new buildings—to Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Suffield in Ralston, Alta., northwest of Medicine Hat.
The projects include the construction of a new range control facility valued at approximately $7.4-million, and a replacement fire hall carrying a price tag of approximately $8.8-million.
“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,” MacKay said in a statement. “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.”
Slated for completion in August 2012, the new range control building is a multi-purpose facility that will house offices and administration areas, accommodations for 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.
According to the Ministry of National Defence, the new 23,400-sq. ft. fire hall will replace the current facility that was built in 1951.
The fire hall is scheduled to be completed by September 2012.
Both building contracts were awarded to Wahl Construction Ltd., of Medicine Hat, the ministry announced.
With CFB Suffield used by both British Army Training Unit Suffield and Defence Research Development Canada (DRDC) Suffield, the two governments will split the building project costs at 78 per cent and 22 per cent, respectively.
More than $1.1-million in contracts were also awarded for other infrastructure improvements at CFB Suffiled, including upgraded fencing, telecom installations and window sidings and doors, among others.
CFB Suffield is one of the largest live-fire training areas in the western world, according to the Ministry of National Defence.
