2010 security troops to live in 'austere' camps
Larry Pynn, Vancouver Sun
Friday, August 29, 2008

The Canadian government is seeking expressions of interest from companies for the construction and servicing of up to 10 temporary and "austere" camps, each housing 200 to 800 military personnel to provide security backup for the 2010 Olympics.

Although the contract terms do not give cost or location details, a client services newsletter from Defence Construction Canada (DCC) estimates a cost of $40 million for the camps to house about 1,800 military personnel between North Vancouver and Pemberton.

DCC is the federal agency that handles contracting, construction management and related infrastructure services for the department of national defence.

The August newsletter says the military camps will be in place from November 2009 through April 2010 to accommodate defence department and Canadian Forces personnel. The Olympic Games will take place Feb. 12 to 28, the Paralympics March 12 to 21.

Capt. Andre Guerin, project manager for the camps, said in a brief phone interview Thursday from CFB Esquimalt that the exact number of camps and number of military personnel remain up in the air despite what the DCC newsletter says.

"We haven't decided nothing yet," he said. "The contract went out to figure out if there is a company that could supply us . . . . We need to be flexible here."

He then said he would have to talk with the public affairs office before continuing the interview.

Later, public affairs officer Capt. Annie Djiotsa called to emphasize that the military is assisting the Mounties on security. "All I can say is that we will be supporting the RCMP to ensure the security and safety of Canadians, visitors and athletes so the Games are successful."

Djiotsa said she is unaware of any military camp sites having been selected to date.

DCC's contract details posted on the government-tendering website, www.merx.com, show the government is seeking the construction of "austere" buildings that are "prefabricated, portable or relocatable."

Also required is the supply of operational services such as cleaning, maintenance, meals, garbage collection, laundry and dry cleaning. DCC is seeking expressions of interest from qualified contractors by Sept. 11.

The DCC newsletter says its staffers are also working in consultation with organizations such as the ministry of transport, the ministry of forests, BC Hydro, the municipalities of Squamish and Whistler, BC Parks, the airport authorities of Pemberton, Squamish and Abbotsford, and the Vancouver Organizing Committee.

Vivian Thomas, forests communications manager, said from Victoria that discussions are still in the preliminary stage, but suggested the temporary military camps would be similar to those created by crews fighting forest fires in summer.

Kate Thompson, communications officer for the ministry of environment, said there was discussion some months ago about the potential use of provincial parks for camps, but she does not believe any were selected.

Squamish Mayor Ian Sutherland deferred calls to the federal government and to Vanoc, which did not get back to The Sun.

West Vancouver Mayor Pamela Goldsmith-Jones said The Sun's call was the first she'd heard about the military camps.

lpynn@vancouversun.com

© The Vancouver Sun 2008