National Defence Minister Bill Blair visited Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt to announce a new housing facility made to replace Nelles Block residential building that was built in the early 1950s.
On Wednesday, Aug. 7, Blair, along with Royal Canadian Navy delegates, announced they awarded a design contract to Ellis Don Corporation for the new 480-room accommodations facility for $10.1 million. The entire design and construction cost is expected to be around $165 million.
The facility, which would be for junior non-commission members of the RCN, will include administrative areas, a dining area and galley capable of serving 700 people, a mess that can support 400 people, postal services and coffee shops along with the hundreds of single-occupancy rooms.
"We're not simply building housing, we're building a neighbourhood. This investment means that members stationed here will have modern, functional accommodations in which to work, train and to live," said Blair. "We made a significant commitment in our new defence policy, Our North, Strong and Free, to improve the quality of life for members of the Canadian Armed Forces. That's part of what this facility will enable us to do."
Though there is no hard date yet, construction of the facility is expected to begin in 2026, with completion expected in the early 2030s. Nelles Block, a residential building that has been on the base since 1952, is slated to be demolished once the new facility is completed.
Blair said the building will be net-zero compliant, and they will be working with Indigenous partners throughout the process, including the implementation of a Indigenous Benefit Plan, which will require at least 5 per cent of the contract amount to be put towards Indigenous-owned businesses.
Budget 2024 commits funding for the construction of up to 1,400 homes for armed forces members and the renovation of an additional 2,500 existing units at bases across the country which "will not only help to meet the housing needs of military personnel, but it also is going to enable us to help address housing demand in surrounding communities. Since fewer military personnel will require rentals in these areas, we've also committed to reviewing all of the lands in the federal portfolio to build more housing for CAF members and for civilians," said Blair.
