January 19, 2018 marked the successful first tests on Canada's first green demolition range, at CFB Valcartier. Given the presence of contaminants on the former demolition range, the Defence Construction Canada team supported the creation of a new space to continue providing this type of training activity on the base.
This new range is unique and innovative. In fact, the range is lined with an impermeable membrane measuring over 25,000 square metres that is connected to a water treatment unit with a 3x5-metre filter. The membrane captures runoff, which is then filtered to eliminate contaminants from explosive residue before being returned to nature. The range, which will be used approximately 200 days per year, also stands out for its high performance and great versatility. It will be used to refine the techniques of combat engineers and explosives technicians from the 5 Combat Engineer Regiment (5 CER), and engineers from the 34 and 35 Canadian Brigade Groups.
According to Sébastien Boucher, DCC Coordinator, Construction Services, the range is a real achievement since, despite the challenge of transporting over 160,000 tonnes of granular material under a tight deadline of four months, DCC effectively collaborated with all stakeholders to complete this almost $3.6-million project. The official inauguration of Canada’s first green demolition range is planned for summer 2018.
