Gagetown to get new IED disposal training facility

DND Press Release

As part of the Government of Canada’s commitment to ensure Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) personnel have the support they need, including safe and modern facilities in which to work and train, Defence Minister Harjit S. Sajjan today announced $38 million in funding to improve critical infrastructure and training facilities at the 5th Canadian Division Support Base (5 CDSB) Gagetown.

The Department of National Defence will allocate $36 million to new training facilities for identifying and disposing of improvised explosive devices and other explosive ordnance. The development of skills sets for explosive ordnance disposal is essential to support Canadian military operations.

“As a proud former member of Canada’s military, I know how essential it is that the women and men of the Canadian Armed Forces have the facilities to train and develop the essential skills to do their jobs safely and effectively, said Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan. "These military infrastructure projects at Gagetown are so important, and these investments ensure our military is prepared to protect our security, both at home and abroad.”

The Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering at 5 CDSB Gagetown currently lacks sufficient space to conduct critical training. These investments in new training facilities will include buildings to house the main training centre, as well as upgrades to roads for field exercises. Suitable infrastructure will increase the quality of training, which is crucial for supporting operations.

An additional $2.3 million, part of the $200 million for defence infrastructure announced in the 2016 Federal Budget, will allow 5 CDSB Gagetown to repair a vital crossing located within another training area, and to upgrade the airfield’s lighting and storm water collection system. The airfield asphalt will also be replaced. Work on these projects is to begin later this summer.

The new explosive ordnance disposal facilities will conform to the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) silver level, and integrate green building concepts and sustainability into planning, investment analysis, and programming activities for operations.

As announced in the 2016 Federal Budget, the Department of National Defence will invest an additional $200 million in infrastructure at defence facilities across the country.

Sustained improvements to military infrastructure are necessary to provide the women and men of the CAF with the facilities they need to train and operate successfully, well into the future.