A celebration was held in Courtenay on Wednesday by 19 Wing Comox to unveil its new 52-unit apartment building, giving its members and their families more options for housing.
The building, at 574 Cumberland Road, was acquired to help address a shortage of housing for members of the Canadian Armed Forces at the base.
The Department of National Defence announced the purchase of the apartment complex — a $19.1-million investment — and said occupancy is expected to begin in summer 2026.
Colonel Chris Shapka comments:
“In Comox [Valley], we have a housing shortage certainly, and an availability shortage and pricing challenges for our members,” said Colonel Chris Shapka, commander of 19 Wing Comox. “Buying this building today is a big step for us.”
Shapka said the wing is expected to grow by about 600 regular force members over the next ten years and that the housing acquisition will enhance quality of life for members while benefiting the community.
Colonel Chris Shapka comments:
“We’re going to furnish the majority of this building,” Shapka said. “We’re going to put beds and desks and those types of things in there. So right now, we’re going through a competitive process to be able to buy the furniture to go into the building. We’re not sure how long that’s going to take, probably a few months.”
Wednesday’s ceremony featured a ribbon-cutting and speeches from 19 Wing, the Honourable Jill McKnight, associate minister of national defence and minister of veterans affairs, and Courtenay mayor Bob Wells.
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