Question Period Note: Service, Maintenance and Storage Garage Facility (“The Barn”)

In 2021, the National Capital Commission built a new facility, the Rideau Hall Operations Zone – Service, Maintenance and Storage Garage Facility, also known as “the Barn”.

• The National Capital Commission is responsible for year-round maintenance and operations for the six official residences in Canada’s National Capital Region
  • The National Capital Commission’s work at Rideau Hall is part of a broader program to preserve, maintain and restore all Official Residences under National Capital Commission management.
  • The National Capital Commission is committed to full transparency, publishing information on this project and others on its website. The National Capital Commission also reports annually on capital expenditures incurred at the official residences
  • Both the National Capital Commission and the Government of Canada recognize the importance of the official residences and their heritage and cultural value

If pressed:

• The buildings used for the maintenance of the 79-acre Rideau Hall property, as well as the other five official residences, were at their end of life, creating serious health and safety concerns
• The Service, Maintenance and Storage Garage Facility was built in 2021 to replace these structures. It is used for vehicle storage, a repair garage, an equipment and tool storage area, and a workspace
• This project also included the abatement of hazardous materials, and the removal of contaminated soil, addressing gross health and safety as well as environmental concerns

Since 1988 the buildings and grounds of Rideau Hall have been managed by the National Capital Commission, which is implementing a long-term rehabilitation project to ensure that the valuable heritage buildings on the estate remain in optimal condition.

All National Capital Commission projects that are planned or underway at Rideau Hall are communicated with the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General in order to ensure effective implementation.

In July 2014, the redevelopment of the National Capital Commission Site Office & Operation Zone at Rideau Hall was initiated, replacing four structures (National Capital Commission Site Office, Ice Shed, Garage, Seamstresses) which were at the end of their life cycle and creating health and safety concerns.

The National Capital Commission began construction on the operations zone in May 2020. The zero-carbon building aligns with the National Capital Commission’s goal of reducing its carbon footprint and the amount of waste created on the lands it manages.

• The Service, Maintenance and Storage Garage Facility was built in 2021 to address health and safety concerns presented by the previous structures which were at their end of life
  • The total project cost was $8.04 million, which included the abatement of hazardous materials and removal of contaminated soil
  • It is the Government of Canada’s first zero-carbon building in the National Capital Region