A design-build project at 19 Wing Comox, B.C. for the Canadian Forces Housing Agency (CFHA), is coming to an end with the completion of five accommodation facilities scheduled in the coming months.
The $23.6-million project started in 2019, with DCC providing contract management support for the construction of five 12 to 24-unit apartments.
“Phase four (or building four) and five are expected to be complete in the coming weeks–marking the end of this successful project,” said David Walkling, DCC Coordinator, Construction Services at 19 Wing Comox.
The end goal for these buildings is to house military personnel, but several of the buildings have served another purpose over the last few years. Temporarily, buildings two and three are being used to house military personnel in the area for short-term training operations.
“Phase one and soon phase four are now being operated by CFHA and the plan is that they will resume filling buildings two and three with military personnel and their families in the future,” said David.
The design-build nature of this project allowed for a cost-effective approach—and the contractor moved work ahead smoothly with forward-thinking solutions to challenges that arose. These problems included COVID-19 delays and price increases since the project was awarded before the pandemic in 2020—and included navigating the removal of broken concrete and rubble found during excavation of the building’s foundation.
Despite the small delay this caused, the project will be wrapped up as planned in 2024.
