Policy
Ground breaks for new $131 million 2 Wing Air Force Expeditionary Capability Facility
CMFMAG TeamAbove images: At the ground breaking ceremony at CFB Bagotville. Image courtesy of Canadian Armed Forces. Right top, a rendering of the building, right bottom, announcement of new building.
Construction has begun on the new Air Force Expeditionary Capability facility at 2 Wing Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Bagotville.
The announcement was made at CFB Bagotville by Marie-France Lalonde, parliamentary secretary to the minister of national defence. The building will be home to 2 Wing, the Royal Canadian Air Force’s air expeditionary wing.
Three Football Fields
Initially announced in 2019, the project has grown in cost from $126 million to $131 million and also in space. The main building was originally 13,000-m². However, the main structure will now be 15,000 m², roughly the size of three football fields.
The exterior space of the facility is double the size of the main building, the size of six football fields. The area is reserved as part of a fenced compound for use as personnel parking, exterior storage, and staging space for deployments.
Building Time Line
- Project announced: fall 2019
- RFP for design-build contract issued: fall 2019
- Contract awarded: Feb. 2022
- Site mobilization: fall 2022
- Work to improve the soil: fall 2022
- Completion of soil improvement work: summer 2023
- Building construction: fall 2023
- Completion of construction: fall 2026.
“CFB Bagotville is one of two major fighter bases in Canada – and it is an essential facility for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). By investing $131 million to build this new facility in Bagotville, we will sustain approximately 600 jobs during construction – and provide Canadian Armed Forces members with the modern infrastructure that they deserve. This new facility will improve operations for 2 Air Expeditionary Wing personnel and better meet their needs, contributing to the safety and security of all Canadians,” said Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence, in a statement.
Support 2 Wing, Royal Canadian Air Force’s Air Expeditionary Wing
Created in 2007, 2 Wing, the Royal Canadian Air Force’s air expeditionary wing has more than 300 personnel and provides necessary operational and training equipment to support the Royal Canadian Air Force’s overseas deployments.
The press release noted the new multi-purpose facility will feature training facilities, classrooms, administrative spaces, and workshops to support the unit’s personnel. The facility, alongside the development of the parking, storage, and deployment preparation area, will consolidate personnel into one building, providing more space across CFB Bagotville for equipment storage areas and vehicle maintenance for the RCAF.
“The upgrades will better meet the needs of 2 Air Expeditionary Wing personnel with upgraded training and administrative areas, and ensure they have better support for future growth in the Air Force Expeditionary Capability program,” noted the press release.
The Air Force Expeditionary Capability program improves the RCAF’s ability to respond rapidly and effectively to support operations worldwide by providing needed operational and training support equipment.
About the Building
The new building will be net-zero carbon ready and will meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Silver standards. It will also implement multiple green features, such as energy-efficient HVAC and lighting systems, parking spaces for green vehicles, rainwater capture technology, LED lighting, and more, saving energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The press release noted a modified design-build approach is being used for the project, which means that the project’s design and construction have both been awarded to one successful bidder under one single contract. Traditionally, contracts are awarded separately for design and construction. M. Sullivan & Son Limited of Arnprior, ON, was awarded the contract.
