WATCH ABOVE: A new headquarters building has opened at the Edmonton Garrison bringing the city’s military completely onto one site. Vinesh Pratap reports.
EDMONTON – National Defence Minister Rob Nicholson was in Edmonton Tuesday to the announce the completion of a new facility at the Edmonton Garrison.
The new 3rd Canadian Division Headquarters will serve as a combined headquarters for 3rd Canadian Division, Joint Task Force West, and 3rd Canadian Division Support Group.
The groups were previously housed in two separate buildings which were more than 10 kilometres apart.
“The government knows that to do your job and to keep succeeding you need the right tools, whether it be equipment, training, medical care, or as we see today, new facilities,” said Nicholson.
The defence minister added the building provides for better coordination and interaction between the three organizations, and allows military personnel to do the jobs.
“With the ongoing transformation on this base your former dated accommodations were no longer meeting your needs,” said Nicholson.
The commander of the 3rd Canadian Division and Joint Task Force West said the new facility is a key addition to military operations.
“From here the 3rd Canadian Division will ensure the readiness of the army in western Canada; ready to either take on operations here at home or overseas,” explained Brigadier-General Wayne Eyre.
“With our other hat on, that of Joint Task Force West, we will provide command and control for our domestic operations in the prairies.”
The cost of the project was $74-million.
According to the federal government, $4-billion has been spent on military defence infrastructure across Canada during the past few years.