Defence Construction Canada is doing its part to ensure Special Operations Forces Command personnel at CFB Petawawa have the modern, robust training facilities they need to protect Canadian interests at home and abroad. Work is underway on the new $319-million complex for the Canadian Special Operations Regiment (CSOR).
The 10-building complex on the Mattawa Plains replaces existing CSOR facilities currently scattered in some 30 to 40 older buildings across the base (many set for demolition), thereby increasing the organization's collaboration and efficiency.
The new complex will include a headquarters building, a gym, ambulance bay, machine shops, security hut, vehicle maintenance areas, warehouses, a shooting range and medical facilities. The complex will be co-located in close proximity to the two tactical helicopter units based in Petawawa that deploy with CSOR, 427 and 450 Tactical Helicopter Squadrons, which will increase their operational effectiveness.
DCC Program Leader Tim Summers, says this is the largest project he has ever worked on in his 11 years with the company.
“The project is extremely exciting and I am working with an excellent DCC team. The challenge is to keep up with the tight schedule while maintaining the quality and staying on the budget. So far, we're on track, which is a good feeling.”
Fast facts for the new CSOR facility:
- 80 acres
- Roughly 30,000 m3 of concrete
- 2,888,000 kg of structural steel
- 1,641,450 kg of reinforcing steel
- 200 sub-contractors
- 1,300 jobs created
- An estimated 1,200,000 people hours will go into completing this project
- 11 DCC team members
The new CSOR facility is scheduled to open in late fall 2020.