Question Period Note: Future Of The Sherbrooke Primary Reserve Armouries

What is this Government doing to preserve the Sherbrooke Armouries?

• National Defence is committed to ensuring that we meet the operational needs of our Reserve Force, while preserving the historical value of the buildings in which they operate.
• That is why we are restoring the Sherbrooke’s William Street Armoury and renovating the Belvédère Street Armoury.
• Accordingly, we awarded a contract to Pomerleau Inc to begin restoring the Sherbrooke Armouries.
• We would like to thank the community of Sherbrooke for their valuable feedback on this project.
• We will continue to engage with our stakeholders as we create restoration and renovation plans for the armouries.
• We will remain open and transparent as we work to ensure that the Reserve Force in Sherbrooke can continue to call Sherbrooke their home well into the future.

• In December 2023, Defence Construction Canada awarded a modified design build contract to Pomerleau Inc in the amount of $3.3M. Phase 1 of this contract is to undertake pre-design work which will be completed in 2025. Phase 2 will include design work for both armouries followed by Phase 3 for the construction work, which is expected to begin in 2027. All subsequent phases are based on negotiated prices with the contractor and obtaining required project approvals.

• Phase 1 contract deliverables include pre-design reports, an assessment of the condition of both facilities, and preliminary concept designs.

  Renovation of the Belvédère Street Armoury

• On December 2, 2022, Anita Anand, Minister of National Defence, announced that, following an extensive evaluation of Primary Reserve infrastructure in the region, including various studies and public consultation, the Department of National Defence will start a recapitalization project to renovate the Belvédère Street Armoury.

• The renovation project for Belvédère Street Armoury is expected to be tendered for design after the condition of the existing facilities is assessed and early concept design completed. This will help identify the best options to deliver modern infrastructure that will meet long-term operational needs and is required in advance of obtaining the necessary project approvals.

  Restoration of the William Street Armoury

• The significance of the William Street Armoury to the Sherbrooke community was reaffirmed by community members during public consultations that were held by the Department of National Defence from June to August 2022.

• The modified design build contractor will undertake heritage assessments and National Defence will work closely with the City of Sherbrooke to restore the William Street Armoury in a manner that preserves its historical value.

Project Costs: Costs and timelines are still being determined. National Defence will be in a position to provide a cost estimate once all assessments are completed and the designs for the existing armouries are completed.

Consultation Process in 2022

• Following a rigorous study on the infrastructure requirements of the Primary Reserve, as well as the state of the infrastructure in Sherbrooke, a working concept was developed for the future of the infrastructure. This analysis took into consideration the advanced structural degradation of the William St. Armoury, which was no longer able to meet the operational needs of reservists.
• On June 15, 2022, the Minister of National Defence announced the launch of public consultations on a way forward to support Primary Reserve infrastructure in Sherbrooke. The deadline for these consultations was August 10, 2022.
  

  Belvédère and William Street Armouries Reserve Units

The Belvédère and William Street Armouries have been closed since 2021 given the need for major repairs and restoration work on the buildings. The affected Reserve units will continue to work out of their leased facility on Woodward Street.

About the Buildings

• The Colonel-Gaétan-Côté (Belvédère Street) Armoury is a Crown-owned (DND) armoury constructed in 1909 and comprises 4,553 m2.
  • It became a Recognized Federal Heritage Building in January 1991.
  • It accommodates Les Fusiliers de Sherbrooke and 35e Régiment des transmissions, which are Reserve units within 2 Canadian Divisions 35 Canadian Brigade Group.
  • It houses the Regimental Museum of Les Fusiliers de Sherbrooke.
  • It accommodates units of the Cadet program, one of the largest federally sponsored youth programs in Canada.

Maintenance Costs: More than $6 million has been invested over the last 10 years in maintenance and repairs to ensure operations could continue.

• The William Street Armoury is a Crown-owned (DND) armoury built in 1841, in accordance with plans prepared by William Footner. It was originally a courthouse, and became an armoury in 1912, at which time an addition to the building was built.
  • It is not a recognized federal heritage building, though its historical value to the city and residents is acknowledged.
  • It accommodates the Sherbrooke Hussars and the 52 Ambulance de campagne.

Maintenance Costs: More than $1 million has been invested in the last 10 years in maintenance and repairs.

Quick Facts

• On December 2, 2022, the Minister of National Defence announced a recapitalization project that involves:
  • The restoration of the William Street Armoury.
  • The renovation of the Colonel-Gaétan-Côté Armoury (Belvédère Street Armoury).
• This decision was informed by an extensive evaluation of Primary Reserve infrastructure in the region, including various studies and a public consultation process between June 15, 2022, and August 10, 2022.
• A modified design build contract was awarded in December 2023 to Pomerleau Inc in the Amount of $3.36M to commence Phase 1 pre-design work.
• As the project proceeds, National Defence will continue to engage public and local stakeholders and provide updates to the media as information becomes available.