Setting up shop

Military engineering unit scheduled to help with community projects

Preparations are getting underway for the arrival of nearly 450 soldiers from Canadian Forces Base Gagetown, N.B., to Summerside. The 4 Engineering Support Regiment of the Canadian Forces is building a temporary base in Slemon Park as part of Exercise NIHILO SAPPER 2018. Nearly 500 soldiers are expected to take part, with the majority living in the camp for most of November. The first team of soldiers is scheduled to arrive on Oct. 25, to lay the groundwork for the rest of the team. While the unit is on P.E.I. it will be assisting local non-profits and governmental organizations with engineering and construction projects. The unit had previously announced that its major project will be assisting with major renovations to the Summerside Boys and Girls Club, but it has since confirmed the rest of the initiatives. The unit will also be: conducting building renovations at the International Childrens’ Memorial Place, in South Freetown; building walkways in Lennox Island First Nation; building a bridge at Mark Arendz Provincial Ski Park; and church renovations and trail construction in Abegweit First Nation in Mount Stewart. It will also be adding wheelchair access to Royal Canadian Legion Branch 8 in Montague, building a pergola at Panmure Island Lighthouse and building roads and restoring a generator at Slemon Park in Summerside. Anyone interested in getting a closer look at the unit’s operation can do so at its open house in Slemon Park on Nov. 10.