Built during World War II, the American Base at Pleasantville was closed during the early 1960s and its ownership was transferred to the Canadian federal and provincial governments.
Public Works and Government Services became the custodian of the land and numerous buildings housing various federal government departments. Eventually, Canadian Forces units were relocated to the area and, in 1967, Canadian Forces Station St. John’s was officially established at Pleasantville.
Public Works and Government Services sold most of its Pleasantville property holdings to Canada Lands Company Limited on January 26, 2006. The Crown Corporation agreed that the Station and its lodger units may remain tenants at Pleasantville until January 26, 2013, when Canada Lands Company Limited would sell the land. However, having been aware of the Department of National Defence requirement to consolidate the Station and its lodger units in a modern facility tailored to their operations, Canada Lands Company Limited reserved 16 acres of the Pleasantville site for the Department’s possible purchase.
The Consolidation Project
In 2007, the Government of Canada announced the construction project for CFS St. John’s that would involve the purchase of land from Canada Lands Company Limited; the design and construction of a consolidated facility and a new Military Family Resource Centre; the construction of a military vehicle compound for secure parking; various improvements to the nearby roadway; and the demolition of the previous buildings.
The Surgeon Lieutenant-Commander W. Anthony Paddon Building
The new 35,000 m2 consolidated facility at Canadian Forces Station St. John’s houses and supports eight Regular and Reserve Force units, as well as 1 Dental Unit Detachment St. John’s, CF Health Services Centre (Atlantic) Detachment St. John’s and the Integrated Personnel Support Centre. These organizations were previously housed in eight outdated buildings spread over 60 acres.
Military Family Resource Centre
The new Military Family Resource Centre is a one-storey 770 m2 building with its own parking lot and public access located across from the main military parking lot. This building, tendered in a separate contract valued at $2.9 million, houses operations supporting military families.
Military Vehicle Compound
This aspect of the project saw the construction of a retaining wall and a secure parking lot for military vehicles belonging to the Station and the military lodger units.
Roadway Improvements
As requested by the City of St. John’s, the Department of National Defence improved the water lines and the sanitary and storm sewers along the Boulevard, and constructed a turning lane where the entrance to the new main building is located.
Demolition
To clear sufficient space for the construction of the new facility, five buildings and three small structures, with a total area of 7,292 m2 were demolished.
The project was completed on March 31, 2014 and the units moved in to the new CFS St. John’s consolidated facility over an eight week period starting on April 7, 2014.
This overall infrastructure investment of approximately $156 million includes the cost of construction and other project-associated expenses, such as design and investigations, project management costs, and contingencies. Additionally, more than 700 direct employment opportunities were generated from the construction of this new facility and its associated projects.