Feds to build 180 homes at CFB Shilo as part of military base expansions

BRANDON — The federal government plans to build about 180 homes, at a cost of $84 million, at CFB Shilo as part of a national housing expansion at military bases.

“The Canadian Army is modernizing and is growing. As the army conducts ongoing assessments related to that future, we anticipate CFB Shilo will continue to play an important role in army operations and training,” Base Commander Lt.-Col. Jack Nguyen said in a news release. “We are planning for the future.”

Nguyen said military members face the same housing pressures other Canadians are dealing with, and that the Armed Forces are fortunate to be able to provide housing for military families.

A federal government news release said the construction of homes for bases across the country will primarily be one- and two-bedroom apartment buildings.

Nguyen couldn’t confirm if or when more troops would land in Shilo.

“The Canadian Army is conducting ongoing assessments related to future force structure and capability requirements,” he said.

The solider said proper housing means better results for members.

“When families have reliable, modern housing, our soldiers are better able to meet operational requirements. This investment is a strong step forward for growth of our community, and we look forward to continued progress in this space.”

Nguyen said there isn’t currently a timeline for the construction of the homes, but that planning is underway.

The national military housing expansion project will see about 7,500 new units built at 25 bases across the country. The largest expansions are in Valcartier, Que., Petawawa, Ont., and in Edmonton, with more than 1,000 new units at each of the three bases. The total cost to build the homes is more than $3.7 billion.

Defence Minister David McGuinty called the investment one of the most significant in military housing in decades.

“By building at speed and scale across the country, we are strengthening operational readiness, supporting recruitment and retention and giving military families the stability they need to thrive,” he said in a news release.

Rural Municipality of Cornwallis Reeve Mike Waddell said the municipality is always glad to see investments being made at the base.

“We believe that CFB Shilo is a jewel in the region, and it’s great to see people coming here with purpose and for opportunity that’s being afforded them,” Waddell said.

Brandon Mayor Jeff Fawcett said the new housing is “great news” for the city and the region.

“Most people use Brandon as sort of the major centre around here, so it’ll benefit us,” Fawcett said.

He pointed out that this could give local contractors and businesses in the region an opportunity to work on the base.

“I’m very excited, I think that we are — as a city — very fortunate to have CFB Shilo right next door to us,” he said. “And we look forward to continuing to strengthen our relationship there.”

He said the base is a good partner with the city.

Brandon School Division Supt. Mathew Gustafson said while the division has capacity issues, that’s not the case at its school located on the base.

“École O’Kelly School does have the most capacity of our schools, and so we do have the ability to probably upwards of almost doubling our school population there under the current capacity of that building.”

O’Kelly currently has about 145 students, he said, with room for about 300.

The K-8 school serves English-speaking students for all grades, and serves French-immersion students from kindergarten to Grade 4.

Nguyen also said Shilo plays an important role for the country’s defence.

Recently, soldiers from CFB Shilo were deployed to Latvia to support NATO’s defence measures against Russia.

CFB Shilo “has always played an important role in training Canadians soldiers for the tasks given to them from (the First World War) to today’s role with NATO,” Nguyen said. “Shilo will continue to be a vital part of Canada’s defence.”

— Brandon Sun