Veterans Affairs headquarters in Charlottetown receiving major upgrade

CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. - A major upgrade is coming to Veterans Affairs Canada headquarters in Charlottetown.

Proposals are being sought from architects to do the planning and design work, which will begin in 2018.

Construction will likely begin in January 2020 and take about three years to complete, says Jon Stone, communications adviser with Public Services and Procurement Canada.

“So this is not a quick process,’’ says Stone.

The work to the Daniel J. MacDonald building will be considerable, he notes, easily running in the tens of millions of dollars.

“We cannot put a specific figure on it now because we can’t influence the bidding process,’’ notes Stone.

He says no significant upgrade has been made to the building since it was built in 1984.

The building was originally designed to accommodate 450 people. Roughly 750 work there today.

Stone says the mechanical and electrical systems are “kind of at their limits…they require replacement and renewal.’’

The office layout will also undergo a complete redesign, and safety equipment will be upgraded.

“It’s a good investment,’’ says Stone.

Mark Lescoutre of Veterans Affairs Canada says the planned upgrades demonstrate Ottawa’s commitment to continuing operations of the national headquarters in Charlottetown.

“The modernization project planned for the Daniel J. MacDonald building will provide economic and job opportunities across many business sectors in the region,’’ adds Lescoutre.

Veterans Affairs Canada is responsible for pensions, benefits and services for war veterans, retired and still-serving members of the Canadian Armed Forces, RCMP and their families, as well as some civilians.