CF-18 Hornet Fighter preparing for takeoff

Infrastructure upgrades at Canadian Forces Base Cold Lake accommodate future growth

Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Cold Lake is a tactical fighter training base capable of deploying fighter aircraft at a moments notice to fulfill the domestic and international roles of Canada’s Air Force.

In 1997, Defence Construction Canada (DCC) and the Department of National Defence (DND) commissioned Associated Engineering to carry out a comprehensive assessment of the Base’s existing roads, sanitary, and storm collection systems. The assessment resulted in a Master Infrastructure Condition Report and the design of a multiphase upgrading program. The first phase of the upgrades were implemented in 1999, which included eliminating the base sanitary lift station and forcemain, and replacing them with a gravity trunk sewer main. The remainder of the upgrades was delayed due to lack of funding.

CFB 4 Wing Cold Lake are planning for growth due to construction of new buildings and upgrading of existing facilities. To address this future growth and the Base’s aging infrastructure, DCC/DND needed to undertake a major upgrade of the existing facilities.

In 2007, Associated Engineering was commissioned to update the 1997 Master Infrastructure Condition Report, and all previously completed detailed design phases. Two new infrastructure components, a water distribution system and a communication system, were included in the upgrade program.

The project will include:
     1) Hydraulic assessment of the existing sanitary, storm, and water systems
     2) Detailed design of the proposed sanitary, storm, water, and road systems upgrades and
          implementation of the DND-provided Base Communication System design, and
     3) Assistance to Defence Construction Canada during the construction and commissioning of the upgrades.

The project involves a number of design and construction challenges. For example, the airplane hanger fire protection must be improved to satisfy present Department of National Defence design standards. These standards require the water distribution system to deliver 379 litres per second of water for 60 minutes. This will be achieved by providing large diameter watermains to the hangers including a 3000 metre long, 500 millimetre diameter dedicated fire- line to the Tactical Air Command (TAC) area, located southeast of the main portion of the Base.

Base improvements will increase storm runoff volumes. However, Alberta Environment has dictated that the upgraded storm sewer system cannot exceed present discharge levels. To maintain present discharge volumes, a 14,400 cubic metre storm surge facility is proposed.

To produce an effective design of the upgrades, the existing underground utility conditions must be known. This has proven to be difficult due to limited record information. To identify specific utilities and potential conflicts, a comprehensive hydrovac program was undertaken to map the existing facilities in project areas. Using new design standards means adopting steeper road/pipe grades and pipe sizes/alignments. Detailed design of the upgrades is difficult as most areas requiring rehabilitation are congested with buildings and utilities.

Special design considerations needed to be taken into account to ensure that the Base is able to fully function at all times during construction. Project Manager Chris Skowronski advises, “The biggest challenge will be during construction, as all utility services will need to be maintained and construction impact on the Base minimized. Special attention will be needed to maintain Base security and minimize project impacts on daily Base activities and special events, such as the international training exercise - Maple Flag.” The construction of the proposed upgrades will be completed in six phases over a planned seven year construction period. Chris says, “Associated Engineering’s Gerald Ruta, E.I.T. (Infrastructure Engineer) and Mario Gagnon, P.Eng. (Project Manager – Defence Construction Canada) have left no stone unturned in the quest to properly map the existing utilities. Their efforts will assist in the improved design of the upgrades and elimination of potential construction delays stemming from utility conflicts.”