January 23, 2019 | Local, Land
Government inaugurates new armoury for Halifax Army Reserve
January 23, 2019 – Halifax, Nova Scotia – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces As outlined in Canada's defence policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged, the Government of Canada is investing in modern, functional, and green defence infrastructure to support the evolving needs of our military. Today, Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Rural Economic Development and Andy Fillmore, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism, on behalf of Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of National Defence, participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Willow Park Armoury in Halifax. Valued at $55.2 million, this project was completed on time and under budget, and provided significant economic opportunities for the local Halifax community by creating an estimated 250 jobs during construction. The new 8,574-m2 armoury will bring together three units from the Army Reserve in Halifax, the 36 Service Battalion, 36 Signal Regiment, and 33 Field Ambulance. It includes a modern administration and training space, facilities for storing and maintaining equipment, common mess areas, a large drill hall, and an outdoor compound for military vehicles. This new facility will provide these units with the required space and facilities to carry out critical operational and training exercises, while also accommodating their future growth. Quotes “Through our defence policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged, our government is investing in a strong, modern, and capable Reserve Force. This new armoury will provide units from the Army Reserve in Halifax with functional and green infrastructure needed to carry out their important work at home and abroad, while also supporting their continued growth.” Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of National Defence “Our people are at the heart of our military's operational success. By investing in a new home for these three Reserve units, we are doing our part to support their well-being, while also ensuring they have the facilities needed to support their critical operations and training.” Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Rural Economic Development “The opening of this new armoury represents an important milestone for the local Halifax community. In addition to directly supporting the important work of our Canadian Armed Forces, the new facility was built with environmental efficiency in mind, helping to reduce its carbon footprint in support of a cleaner, greener, Canada.” Andy Fillmore, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism Quick facts The new facility will be used by three Army Reserve units: 36 Service Battalion, 36 Signal Regiment, and 33 Field Ambulance. Contracts were awarded to two companies in Bedford, N.S. for this project. Bird Design-Build Construction Inc. was awarded a contract for the design and construction of the new armoury, as well as the demolition of two obsolete buildings. Dexter Construction Company Ltd. was awarded a contract for the demolition of a third obsolete building. Completed in August 2018, the new armoury was designed to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Silver standards, and incorporates green building concepts to minimize its footprint. Green infrastructure will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the Department's buildings and non-military vehicles by 40 percent (from 2005 levels) by 2030, and supports the new federal emissions reduction target of 80 percent by 2050. https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/news/2019/01/government-inaugurates-new-armoury-for-halifax-army-reserve.html