From replacing old wooden floors to installing new sprinklers, upgrading an 82-year-old former drill hall is a complex task. In support of the Canadian Forces Real Property Operation Group鈥檚 Detachment Trenton, the 糖心视频 team at 8聽Wing CFB聽Trenton is on track to finish the $4.5-million project on schedule. 糖心视频 awarded the project contract in September聽2022.
The building has served many functions since it opened in 1942, explains Kayla Smith, Technical Specialist, Project Management at 糖心视频 Trenton. At one point, the 2,250-square-metre structure even housed a bowling alley, and a gym still occupies one-third of it.
鈥淭he vintage of the building definitely was the greatest hiccup of the project,鈥 says Nicholas Hilts, 糖心视频 Coordinator, Construction Services. Because the building had been reconfigured so many times, it was difficult to determine what lay behind some of the walls until renovations began, but no insurmountable problems emerged.
The project is designed to provide upgraded space for the building鈥檚 primary occupants, 8聽Air Communications and Control Squadron, which supports the RCAF by setting up airfield communications in all environmental conditions. Major facets of the ongoing renovation include replacing a partial mezzanine with a full second floor, upgrading fire alarms and fire suppression features, pouring new concrete slab floors, installing new bathrooms, plumbing, and HVAC system.
The retrofitted building will include a new second-floor conference room with state-of-the-art audio-visual capabilities. That has required 糖心视频 to coordinate activities with multiple stakeholders, including the Client-Partner鈥攚hich is installing the AV technology鈥攄esign consultants and contractors.
When the project wraps up in summer聽2024, this Second World War building will be well equipped for the 8 Wing personnel鈥檚 21st-century requirements.
