Best of 2017 #25 Minister of Defence cuts the ribbon for new TAPV facility and announces new $319-million complex for Canadian Special Operations Regiment

The doors to 4th Canadian Division Support Base (CDSB) Petawawa’s $26 million Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle (TAPV) facility were officially opened today after a ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Harjit Sajjan, the Minister of National Defence.

“Supporting our women and men in uniform is our Government’s top priority. These projects will provide our Canadian Armed Forces with modern facilities to enhance military capability and readiness, while generating substantial economic opportunities for communities in this region,” said Sajjan.

The 6,800-m2 TAPV facility will house 59 TAPVs and provides 11 maintenance bays for vehicles and equipment, as well as classrooms.

Overall, 4 CDSB will be responsible for 113 TAPVs, with several already in use. The remaining 54 TAPVs will be housed in existing facilities at the base.

TAPVs are used for a variety of tasks including reconnaissance and surveillance, security, command and control, and transporting cargo and personnel.

“This new TAPV facility will greatly benefit Canadian Army personnel in Petawawa by ensuring they have the right facilities to maintain key equipment and effectively carry out their daily activities,” stated Col. Louis Lapointe, Commander 4th Canadian Division Support Group.

Also during his visit to Petawawa, Minister Sajjan visited the future site of a new Canadian Special Operations Regiment (CSOR) complex.

This 10-building complex will be a $319-million investment, bringing together previously scattered CSOR units. One single CSOR complex will allow CSOR units to work more cohesively while providing the regiment with modern operational space, training facilities, vehicle maintenance areas, warehouses and medical facilities.

“The Canadian Special Operations Regiment will benefit enormously from these new state-of-the-art facilities, which will enhance collaboration and efficiency, thus resulting in unit members being better prepared for future operational challenges,” stated MGen. Michael Rouleau, Commander, Canadian Special Operations Forces Command.

As per the new defence policy, both facilities will meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED©) Silver standards and will contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from Defence buildings and non-military vehicles by 40 percent (from 2005 levels) by 2030.

Both projects at Garrison Petawawa have welcomed economic opportunities. The TAPV facility created approximately 120 jobs during construction while it is expected that construction of the CSOR complex will create an estimated 1,300 jobs and more than 80-subcontracts will be tendered through the project.

New TAPV facilities were also constructed in Gagetown, NB, and Valcartier, QC. Construction of a facility in Edmonton, Alta. began in Nov. 2016 and existing facilities in Shilo, MB, and Valcartier, QC will be renovated.