National Defence Breaks Ground on New Accommodations Facility at CFB Borden

May 26, 2021 – Defence Stories

It’s no secret that military recruitment and retention require modern infrastructure that matches the world-class training we provide our members. For this reason, one of our top priorities is to provide our personnel with the infrastructure that supports their personal and professional development in and out of uniform.

That’s why we’re thrilled to announce we’re building a new modern, multi-functional, and green accommodations facility at CFB Borden to support personnel studying and training at the base. This facility will provide sleeping quarters and spaces in which members can study, learn, and live while they develop the skills they need to support military operations at home and abroad.

CFB Borden is Canada’s largest military training base. At any time throughout the year, there are between 2,500 and 4,000 personnel across all ranks and military environments on the base working on their professional development and learning new skills in their respective fields. Over the course of a year, approximately 15,000 personnel spend time in accommodations facilities at CFB Borden during their studies. As a foundational part of their success, we’re committed to providing our new recruits with comfortable and accessible accommodations and study environments.

The new five-storey, 15,600 m2 accommodations facility will feature 350 modern sleeping quarters, common lounge areas, study areas, laundry rooms, storage, and office space. This project also includes parking for 300 vehicles and installing more bus stops to encourage the use of public transit. Considering new recruits spend approximately two-thirds of their time in residence, we expect this facility will not only improve students’ living spaces and their ability to study but, ultimately, the quality of life for both new recruits and seasoned personnel that study, train, and live on the base.

We awarded the $42-million construction contract for this facility in November 2020 to Corebuild Construction Ltd., of North York, Ontario. Construction started in March 2021, and we expect the facility will be completed in fall 2024.The construction contract includes an Indigenous benefits plan, meaning the contractor must ensure at least 5% of the contract value is directed toward employment, training, or other economic benefits for Indigenous peoples. We expect over 220 jobs will be sustained in the region during construction.

The new training quarters will be constructed to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver standards and will include a number of green features, like energy-efficient heating and cooling systems. By modernizing and improving the energy efficiency of defence infrastructure, we are supporting the needs of a modern military, while reducing our greenhouse gas emissions and saving on energy costs.

Not only will the construction of this accommodation facility benefit personnel at CFB Borden and contribute to the Government of Canada’s broader greening goals, this work will have tangible economic benefits for the nearby communities and Indigenous groups. “CFB Borden’s latest construction project is a great benefit to the growing numbers of personnel at the base as well as the construction industry in the area,” said Anita Vandenbeld, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence. “Projects like this provide economic opportunities all the way from the companies providing materials right down to the labourers. I’m thrilled to see this project underway at the base.”

“Putting people first is at the heart of our government’s defence policy, and this project is yet another example of that commitment,” added Deb Schulte, Member of Parliament for King-Vaughan. “The construction of these modern, multi-purpose, green accommodations will support hundreds of local jobs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and save money on energy costs – all while providing the women and men of the Canadian Armed Forces with the facilities they need to do their important work.”

Despite the impacts COVID-19 has had on industry across Canada, we’re working hard to stimulate local economies and upgrade our facilities at bases and wings across Canada. These projects are helping create and sustain jobs, improve the efficiency of our infrastructure, and ensure our personnel have the support they need to perform among the best in the world.