Health care infrastructure for Canadian Armed Forces personnel is being redeveloped at bases and wings across the country, as aging and separate facilities are brought under one streamlined roof at each location.
At Garrison Petawawa, for example, the new 9,740‑square‑metre Health Services Centre is substantially complete as of February 2021, with final completion expected in October. The $35‑million complex brings multiple services together within one centrally located building, offering everything from medical and dental services, including labs, to pharmacy, physiotherapy, radiology, immunization, and mental health services.
This "one‑stop‑shop" approach provides modern office and clinic space, improving continuity of care and convenience for military personnel whose schedules often involve deployments and training.
The two‑storey building and its third‑floor mechanical penthouses are being built to LEED Silver standard, featuring green infrastructure such as energy‑efficient electrical and mechanical systems, and the use of reflective roofing material, to name a few.
Construction of the new $35‑million Health Services Centre at Garrison Petawawa.
"DCC has been able to provide DND with support to keep the project progressing in good time," explains Arthur Humble, DCC Program Leader at CFB Petawawa. "Now, we're looking forward to welcoming both the professionals who will be providing services and those who will benefit from them."
The project joins health services centres under construction at 22 Wing North Bay, CFB Gagetown and 4 Wing Cold Lake, and several already completed, including at Saint‑Jean Garrison and 3rd Canadian Division Support Base in Edmonton. The program is an important part of the Government of Canada's commitment to supporting the health and resilience of CAF members under Canada's Defence Policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged.