Canadian Forces to expand its presence in Yellowknife

DAVID PUGLIESE, OTTAWA CITIZEN

The Canadian Forces is expanding its permanent footprint in northern Canada.

A new building project in Yellowknife will see the construction of a 7,600-m2 building for some of the technical services elements of the Joint Task Force North Area Support Unit, and the 1st Canadian Rangers Patrol Group Headquarters. “The technical services are for supply and materiel management, vehicle maintenance, transport, and traffic (which is mostly responsible for the movement of materiel),” Department of National Defence spokesman Andrew McKelvey noted in an email to Defence Watch.

The project is in the early planning stages, with the request for proposals for the building's design expected to be tendered by mid-2019. The overall project is estimated between $50 million and $99 million and will include offices, an assembly space, which will double as a drill hall, and warehouse and garage space.

There are 52 military and civilian personnel from 1 Canadian Rangers Patrol Group headquarters and 314 military and civilian personnel from Joint Task Force North currently stationed in Yellowknife.

Only the Area Support Unit (North), part of Joint Task Force North, will be moving into the new building with 1 CRPG.

As this project still is in the early planning stages, it is too soon to know this building's exact location, McKelvey said.

Construction is expected to start in the 2020-2021 timeframe, with opening anticipated by 2024.

https://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/defence-watch/canadian-forces-expands-presence-in-yellowknife