Recapitalization and upgrades undertaken on critical exterior components of the central heating plant at CFB Kingston are making the system more resilient and less vulnerable to flooding.
“The steam plant is vital to the base’s operations,” says Colin Hogan, DCC Coordinator, Construction Services. The natural gas-fired plant provides heat and hot water to many buildings across the 200-hectare (500-acre) base.
The $1.8-million project involves replacing both above and underground utility infrastructure around the heating plant. This includes exterior cooldown tanks for boiler blowdown effluent, water main repairs, sanitary systems, stormwater management systems and an oil water separator. All with the aim to ensure proper operation of the plant, as well as to decrease the risk of flooding at the plant during heavy rainstorms and spring melt.
DCC has had to manage a few challenges related to the age of the base, which dates back to 1914. “It was a very delicate dance around other buried utilities, such as electrical systems and several gas mains,” says Colin. Since the heating plant was originally powered by coal, contractors even came across buried coal beds, which were assessed, and properly disposed of.
Under the contract, backup fuel tanks, fuel piping, monitoring panels, alarms, generators and connections will also be replaced with new systems to ensure continuous service during natural disasters and other power outages.
Work began in summer 2025, though planning for the project began long before that. This required consistent collaboration between DCC and local Client-Partners, including Real Property Operations and heating plant staff as well as members of DND’s fitters and plumbing group.
Most of the underground infrastructure is now installed, and contractors are currently resurfacing asphalt and sidewalks. They are also awaiting delivery of the new oil-water separator tank, which will clean stormwater before discharge. The project is due for completion in spring 2026.
