For immediate release
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, July 13, 2010 – The Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women, and the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Regional Minister for Nova Scotia, today announced the award of a contract to PCL Constructors Canada Inc. for a new headquarters for the RCMP in Nova Scotia. The announcement took place at a groundbreaking and design unveiling ceremony for this three-year construction project, which will create local jobs.
“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, our Government is pleased to deliver a new, state-of-the-art RCMP Headquarters for Nova Scotia,” said Minister Ambrose. “This project will help stimulate the regional economy, create jobs, and ensure the safety and security of Nova Scotians.”
“This is an important step forward for the RCMP in Nova Scotia, and demonstrates the RCMP’s commitment to safer homes and communities for Nova Scotians,” said Minister MacKay. “The new ‘H’ Division Headquarters will provide RCMP employees with a modern and efficient work environment as they continue to provide the outstanding policing services the citizens of this province expect.”
“Our Government is committed to giving our police the modern tools and resources they need to make our communities safe,” said Public Safety Minister Vic Toews. “Today’s ground-breaking marks the latest example of our Government taking action to replace obsolete facilities and improve police services across the country. This new facility will allow the RCMP to be even more effective in enforcing the law, preventing crime and protecting Canadians.”
Today’s announcement of the awarding of a $59 million contract to PCL comes in addition to a previous commitment, for a total investment of $100 million from the Government of Canada.
The new home for ‘H’ Division will be located on Garland Avenue in Burnside Business Park, on property owned by the Government of Canada. This new building will be ready for occupancy by December 2013.
The RCMP ‘H’ Division project will embrace the latest building technology and leading edge sustainable development initiatives with the aim of receiving a LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating.
An artist’s rendering of the design can be found at: http://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/medias-media/gp-pg/2010-07-13-00-eng.html
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Ce texte est également disponible en français.
For further information, please contact:
Scott Verret
Regional Manager, Communications
Public Works and Government Services Canada
902-496-5835
Sgt. Bridgit Leger
‘H’ Division Media Relations Officer
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
902-426-5120
This news release is also available on our Internet site http://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/medias-media/index-eng.html
RCMP ‘H’ Division Headquarters
Relocation Project
The RCMP ‘H’ Division Headquarters and Atlantic Region offices are currently housed in 14 leased and two crown-owned buildings in 10 different locations in the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM). The existing crown-owned headquarters building is 35-years-old and requires significant investment. It also no longer meets the RCMP’s operational requirements.
The Government of Canada owns the future site of the RCMP ‘H’ Division on Garland Avenue in Burnside Business Park. The site was improved during the summer of 2008 as part of a contract to install site drainage and to clear and prepare the area for the building foundations.
The tender call for the project was posted on the MERX website on April 21 and the contract awarded to PCL Constructors Canada Inc. on July 13 for just over $59 million.
The new building will be five stories high and approximately 24,000 square metres, designed to accommodate the RCMP’s administrative and operational requirements. It will accommodate more than 500 employees allowing the consolidation of RCMP branches and services within HRM.
The new RCMP ‘H’ Division Headquarters will be built with the environment in mind. Plans include the installation of a green roof, the use of dimming fixtures that adjust to natural light and the use of natural gas. Features that will reduce water consumption include: rainwater capture for use, low-flow toilets and waterless urinals. This sustainable building is expected to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) environmental standards.
The construction phase of this project will create local jobs to the benefit of the regional economy. The project will also provide $39 million in savings over 25 years for the crown. Work on the new headquarters will begin this summer and construction should be complete in approximately three years. The current schedule calls for the new headquarters to be complete in December 2013.
