$136M Ministry of Defence project takes shape in Yellowknife

Site clearing has been completed and crews from PCL are now installing the concrete foundation for a new, $136-million, multi-purpose Ministry of Defence facility in Yellowknife, N.W.T.

The 9,200-square-metre structure is being built in the Engle Business District, adjacent to Yellowknife Airport, and will consolidate defence, security and technical personnel from the Department of National Defence (DND) in one location.

The facility will improve the ability of the armed forces to deploy in the N.W.T. and feature offices and classroom space for administrative, training and tactical exercises, an assembly space that will double as a drill hall, and more room for vehicle maintenance and warehouse storage.

Once the building foundation is complete, PCL crews will begin installing the structural steel frame.

“This new building will enhance the mobility, reach, and footprint of the Canadian Armed Forces in Canada’s North to support operations, exercises, and our ability to project force into the region,” explains Kened Sadiku, a spokesperson for the DND.

The building will be a two-storey structure constructed with structural steel and mass timber in featured areas. Renderings show a modern, sleek-looking structure with large windows and a loading bay.

COURTESY DEPARTMENT OF NATIONAL DEFENCE — A groundbreaking ceremony was held at the site in April. Numerous dignitaries attended, including Grant Sayers, who is Defence Construction Canada VP, operations business management, Northern Affairs Minister Dan Vandal, DND Minister Bill Blair, NWT Premier R.J. Simpson, and NWT MP Michael McLeod.

The building will be headquarters for the 1st Canadian Rangers Patrol Group in Yellowknife which consists of 2,000 Canadian Rangers and more than 1,400 Junior Canadian Rangers across the North.

It will also house the technical services elements of the Joint Task Force North (JTFN) in Yellowknife, one of six Canadian Armed Force regional joint task forces situated in key areas across Canada. They help maintain full awareness of security and defence conditions in the North.

Currently, JTFN technical services and 1CRPG are distributed amongst a number of disconnected sites in Yellowknife.

“This project will consolidate these units in one secure compound, providing the necessary space to support their current and future operations more efficiently, as well as enhance collaboration,” says Sadiku. “Consolidating these units in one area will also eliminate having to maintain several building leases.”

Construction of the facility will generate roughly 520 jobs. The project is expected to be completed in winter 2026-27.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held at the site in April. Numerous dignitaries attended, including Grant Sayers, who is Defence Construction Canada VP, operations business management, Northern Affairs Minister Dan Vandal, DND Minister Bill Blair, NWT Premier R.J. Simpson, and NWT MP Michael McLeod.

The construction contract includes an Indigenous Benefits Plan. The plan requires the contractor to procure Indigenous subcontractors and local Indigenous workers, provide training, skills development and engagement of Indigenous stakeholders and ensure Indigenous cultural awareness training is being provided.

PCL has already subcontracted for services with various Indigenous-owned businesses such as Det’on Cho Landtran, Det’on Cho Construction Service and Arctic West Transportation/Tłı̨chǫ Investment Corporation Joint Venture.

Contracts for the site clearing ahead of construction were also tendered using a procurement strategy for Indigenous business which aims to increase the number participating in the federal procurement processes.

Earlier, a $176,000 tree-cutting contract was awarded to Arctic Farmer Inc. and a $3.6-million site-grading contract was awarded to North Country Logistics Ltd. Both are Indigenous-owned businesses in Yellowknife. A $1.8-million contract for design work went to PCL.

Green and sustainable design elements, meanwhile, are a big part of the construction plan. The DND worked with PCL and Stantec to determine the best combination of energy sources and building features to meet greenhouse gas emission targets.

“This build will prioritize using renewable energy and consider the building’s entire lifecycle during design and maintenance, while ensuring it meets operational requirements,” explains Sadiku. “This can be especially challenging in the sub-Arctic, which is why regional environmental practices such as wood pellets for energy are being used.”

The structure will meet the objectives of the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy, the Greening Government Strategy and the Defence Climate and Sustainability Strategy. The DND is aiming for the building to be certified as LEED Silver.

While there are unique challenges associated with building such a structure in a northern environment – such as weather, a shorter construction season and getting materials and labour to a site – PCL has been preparing to overcome the challenges by planning ahead and paying careful attention to scheduling work.

“They are ordering and having materials delivered in advance, so it is available when it is needed, scheduling seasonally appropriate work, and have spent time developing relationships with various trades and firms, as well as having their personnel work shift work,” says Sadiku.

Originally, the DND did not own a property in Yellowknife of sufficient size to accommodate the project, so it considered a number of sites before choosing the present venue for the new facility.

With the Real Property Operations Group (North), property acquisition options were evaluated within the Yellowknife region. The present site adjacent to the airport was identified as a good fit as it is large enough to provide land for both the project and other operational requirements.