Topic: Petawawa Thread- Merged

[Ed Gagnon]

Mamma Bear,

Well said.  It is so nice to hear first hand information from a person who is now living in PMQs. 

Jesses_Girl - I have been in many PMQs in Petawawa and I know that there are many very nice ones that no one would mind living in.  There are also a few that do need a bit of work.  I have to say that CFHA has invested a lot of money in PMQs with new siding, roofing, windows and doors.  In addition, there are PMQs that are being completely gutted and redone so that they are a completely different unit.  In my opinion, PMQs have come a long way over the last ten years.  Are they perfect?  Not quite, but they have come a long way and continue to improve. 

In speaking to my CFHA contact, there are about one hundred more folks living in Petawawa PMQs today then there were one year ago.  This can be possibly attributed to the booming housing market which is quite frankly getting a bit too overheated and now out of the average person's ability to afford.  In addition, another factor may be the increase in personnel posted to base.

Have a good move to Petawawa...I am sure you will find this area very nice and welcoming.

Ed Gagnon
PSP Manager
CFB Petawawa

[xrme]

rigger...I don't know you, and you don't know me....however, I do consider myself somewhat an expert, given my relationship with a very successful realtor, and my experience with realty myself. I've conducted informal polls over the past four years, of people moving out of pmq's and purchasing their own property, and vice versa (albeit a somewhat rarity) where people may sell their property and move into a pmq. Your statement was "I think if anyone bothered to look into it they would realize that on every base there is vacant PMQ's.  This is due to the fact that maintenance has to be carried out and it is easier to do on a vacant Q rather than an occupied one." What I am saying...is I have looked into it, and it is not due to the fact that maintenance has to be carried out....yada yada yada. There is nowhere near enough contractors to work on 400 empty pmq's at any given time. Again, you don't know me...don't tell me what I am or what I am not. I do have a well, and hard earned license that says I am an expert.

para...is there something *I* need to clarify? As for your posts...you might consider taking comments made by a contractor or any other third party, with a grain of salt..given the lack or corroborating evidence. I'm not saying that you don't believe what you were told, as you obviously do. Heck, I even imagine any long term health concerns could be traced back to you living in a condemned building, that everyone, even the contractors knew about, and result in, what is now, a large lump sum payout? Hmmmm, come to think of it...I lived in one of those comdemned buildings for several months....I'm gonna call DVA in the morning!

Ed, could your CFHA contact confirm the "condemned pmq" theory? Prices in the area are starting to be reduced. People selling were trying to capitalize on the influx of personal to the area, and consequently, have 'forced' the hands of those moving here, and put them into a situation where they have decided to move into a pmq. Those same houses will sell for list, or slightly less than list, when everyone coming, comes. Ed, who would you recommend?

[paracowboy]

para...is there something *I* need to clarify?

nah, just bein' a pain for the sake of bein' a pain, mostly.    My CO, who will doubtlessly read this in a couple weeks, will vouch for my skills at that. I was obtuse earlier on, but have since caught on.

As for your posts...you might consider taking comments made by a contractor or any other third party, with a grain of salt..given the lack or corroborating evidence. I'm not saying that you don't believe what you were told, as you obviously do.

Well, I do believe the apartments were condemned, but by whom? As we didn't look too heavily into it, I have no idea. Was it just the people who were looking at them for Low-Income Housing? This seemed (and seems) to be the most likely scenario. We also knew that they were working to bring them up to Code. ('Course they never did get to our block until just before I got my re-badge.  ) And, we had other issues that took precedence (however, her Doc did say that the conditions she was living in were not helping.)

Heck, I even imagine any long term health concerns could be traced back to you living in a condemned building, that everyone, even the contractors knew about, and result in, what is now, a large lump sum payout

not me, my wife. Who was never that robust to begin with. Hence the other priorities at the time. And currently. Fortunately, I have manged, through some real estate wheeling and dealing, to purchase Niner a brand-spanking, just-built, house here in Edmonton, and can finally move her out of PMQ's. Although, these ones here are nowhere near as bad as the apartment in Pet. (Cold, though. Poor insulation, where there is any. No thought put into it.) So, after 11 years, I am finally taking the advice given to me so many years ago by NCOs wiser than I.

[xrme]

nah, just bein' a pain for the sake of bein' a pain, mostly. 

Kudos...

Good luck with the house...great decision. And I hope your other half is doing better now. That is one thing I will agree with...my family always seemed to be ill/sick more so when living in pmqs. That may have something to do with the close confines, and the proximity to others....but I don't think the mould helped. I don't think the drafty rooms helped. I don't think the 3 inches of water in the basement helped. I don't.....well you get the idea. 

Again, good luck with everything.

[Ed Gagnon]

Hi folks,

I have spoken to my contact in CFHA Petawawa regarding condemmed PMQs.  She advised that there have never been any PMQs condemmed at CFB Petawawa.  This is yet another malicious rumour designed to cast dispersions on an agency that is working to improve the area of miitary housing.

If anyone wants to get information (as opposed to misinformation) please contact Jackie Lizzote at 613-687-7442.  She will be happy to discuss any CFHA Petawawa issue with anyone.

thanks,

Ed

[paracowboy]

there it is.

I retract the "condemned" in the face of hard evidence to the contrary.

I stand by my assertions that the apartments were unhealthy and horrible, and that Jesses_girl would be far better off purchasing a home.

[xrme]

Thanks, Ed for supplying some information. The only reason I mentioned it, was that you had indicated that you work closely with that, and other sections.

para...as I've said, I agree, they should be condemned, and that anyone would be better off purchasing a home.

Jessesgirl...if you're interested in purchasing a home in the area, I can certainly help you look for suitable properties.

[TMM]

One thing to add: if you buy a home and you are not legally married, get ownership details in writing. Common laws does not offer 100% of the legal protection that marriage does.

[xrme]

Ownership details, and family law, do not get along.

You can be married, your name not be on title, yet still have an interest in a matrimonial home. Common-law (or as the law likes to call it...cohabitation) can offer the same legal entitlements, under certain circumstances, and with the right legal representation.

[Siggywife]

I think before all these so called experts give their opinion they find out why the PMQ's are vacant and I highly doubt that anybody is living in a condemned house

Urban Myth?

I lived in a condemded unit for two years in Kingston... Any building in Kingston that has no mail boxes and more then one empty unit is on the chopping block for demo.. so No its isnt a Urban Myth..it's a fact

Good luck on your search..whatever you choose just a word of caution... Make a document of everything.. times dates and conditions... Who you talked too..Many repairs..and such..just in case... But Pet is a good place to be.. besides I believe its everyone wants to be on the north side of the base..

Siggy

[xrme]

Just a note for anyone coming to Pet...I read this evening, in the Post, that Petawawa council is recommending the county approve it's plan to add mor than 300 residential housing units in the next 10 years....of that 175 detached single family dwellings, and 9 blocks of multiple attached residential dwellings...(town houses). All this in one area specific to the area behind the existing beer and LCBO stores, ranging from Petawawa Blvd all the way over to Laurentian Dr. There are other areas planned, and already started, including one area up in the "forest" neighbourhood of Petawawa...corner of Murphy, and Doran...appx 87 units to be built on large lots, starting as early as this fall. There are already a dozen or so houses being built on Schwanz Rd...HUGE lots.

[Strategic]

Is there anyone who lives away from base (Petawawa) closer to Ottawa and travels to work. Is this even allowed. The point behind this is so the spouse could find employment in her Field in or closer to Ottawa.

If so what are some of the areas or cities that you live in and commute from.

I am not looking to car pool or anything I just want to know if this is realistic and if anyone does do this.
Just looking for options.

[George Wallace]

There are lots of possibilities.  Depends on what you want to do.  Do you want long commutes or not?  Is one career more important than another's?  What is your Job and what will its' requirements be on your life?  (ie. time in Field, time on Deployments, shiftworker, etc.) 

As mentioned before in "Petawawa in all its splendour"  http://forums.army.ca/forums/index.php/topic,40540.msg344988.html#msg344988



[Edit to merge the two topics]

[Nerf herder]

I know of at least 5 people who live in Arnprior and commute to and from work everyday.

Mind you they have to keep a room in the shacks incase of weather, bugout etc.

It's located about 20ish minutes west from Ottawa.

Regards

[Strategic]

just reviewing over the maps how long of a drive is it to Petawawa

[George Wallace]

Approx. three hours from your place in Kingston.

Arnprior to Camp Petawawa can range anywhere from 1.5 hours or longer, depending on Traffic and weather.  If you push the speed you can make it in less, but be warned the Renfrew OPP usually have Quota's to fill.   

[Rider Pride]

Arnprior is an hour and change drive from the base. I know of a couple people who live on the far side of Pembroke (Cobden and Renfrew areas) who drive in. There are also a couple guys who live in Ottawa and have rooms in the shacks (which they pay for).

[George Wallace]

Whooo!   Hooo!

Now that I am unlikely to ever go there again.........seems to be a trend in my military career........Leave Gagetown and Fredericton has some large scale development go in and a new highway. .........Leave Pet and the businesses start moving in along with all those other neat amenities.......

[xrme]

Whooo!   Hooo!

Now that I am unlikely to ever go there again.........seems to be a trend in my military career........Leave Gagetown and Fredericton has some large scale development go in and a new highway. .........Leave Pet and the businesses start moving in along with all those other neat amenities.......

Geroge, how long have you been out of Pet? From what I can see....I see a mass exodus from Pet. It may be that the current business owners are just getting to that age...but there are many busniesses listed for sale, and many more that are for sale, but not "on the system".  New businesses?? Other than KFC and Kelsey's....hardley offset the ones that are closing/leaving or have already left.

I may be looking at it on a much too narrow basis, but....hey, I could be wrong.

[Rider Pride]

I think one of the members brothers on this board is going over.

If there is, good luck to them.

From what I can see....I see a mass exodus from Pet. It may be that the current business owners are just getting to that age...but there are many businesses listed for sale, and many more that are for sale, but not "on the system".  New businesses?? Other than KFC and Kelsey's....hardley offset the ones that are closing/leaving or have already left.

I may be looking at it on a much too narrow basis, but....hey, I could be wrong.

That may be, but with bigger and better shopping options in Pembroke and along Petawawa Blvd, I believe that it is not simply a Petawawa problem as Pembroke's main drag is consistently losing businesses as well. I also think it may have something to do with grossly overpriced property values here in Pet as well.

[Bruce Monkhouse]

Read this a few days ago but i guess it has some relevance to the way this discussion has swerved,

Commander to address community: Lt.-Col. wants to discuss growth at CFB Petawawa
Anthony Dixon
Local News - Friday, May 12, 2006 @ 19:00

CFB PETAWAWA - The commanding officer of CFB Petawawa wants to have a word with the region's business community.
Lt.-Col. Dave Rundle has extended written and verbal invitations to members of the local business community to attend a business lunch next Tuesday, where he will speak about anticipated growth at Base Petawawa, upcoming operations and the resulting economic impact.
The business lunch is slated for May 16 at the Normandy Officers' Mess.
In a phone interview this week, Lt.-Col. Rundle said he did not want to reveal the exact details of what he will say previous to his briefing on Tuesday. However, he did say that one of the biggest impacts anticipated is the deployment of approximately 1,500 troops from CFB Petawawa this August to Afghanistan.


Lt.-Col. Rundle said that will be followed by a second, though smaller, deployment of Petawawa troops in February 2007.
"The future operations troops are involved in always impacts on local businesses, so this will allow business leaders to do some future planning," Lt.-Col. Rundle said.
Another topic he will discuss is the new Canadian Special Operations Regiment being formed at the base.

The unit is expected to reach its 'initial operating capability' by the fall but won't reach full capacity for a few years.
The Canadian Forces is also placing a renewed emphasis on recruiting.
With some units at the base currently not at full strength, Lt.-Col. Rundle anticipates about 1,500 new troops coming to Petawawa within the next five years, depending on the success of recruiting efforts.

Lt.-Col. Rundle said the 2 Area Support Group headquarters, currently based in Toronto, will also be moving to Base Petawawa, bringing with it an additional 40 personnel.
"Given all the growth taking place, moving here will provide better visibility to oversee and influence decision support," Lt.-Col. Rundle said.
During this address to business leaders, Lt.-Col. Rundle will also be talking about anticipated changes to the command team at the base this summer.

In the interview, Rundle would only say that a number of new commanding officers are being posted in.
He will also provide an update on the project to clear unexploded ordnance from the shores of the Ottawa River.
Advanced registration for the business luncheon is required.

On the day of the event, welcoming takes place at 11:45 a.m., lunch at 12:15 p.m. and Lt.-Col. Rundle's address at 1 p.m.
On June 1, Lt.-Col. Rundle will host a town hall meeting for both the military and civilian population of CFB Petawawa at the base theatre beginning at 6:30 p.m.

"This will give members (of the Canadian Forces) and family members, folks in general, an opportunity to articulate any concerns or issues that they may have regarding the services provided to the base community," he said.

http://www.thedailyobserver.ca/webapp/sitepages/content.asp?contentID=40042&catname=Local+News

[xrme]

Army....

That may be, but with bigger and better shopping options in Pembroke and along Petawawa Blvd, I believe that it is not simply a Petawawa problem as Pembroke's main drag is consistently losing businesses as well. I also think it may have something to do with grossly overpriced property values here in Pet as well.

Granted, Pembroke has the upper hand when it comes to retail stores and shopping. And I do agree 100%...the downtown core of Pembroke is fading fast. However, when you make reference to better and bigger shopping options along Petawawa Blvd, you lose me. Apart from Kelsey's and KFC...I think one would be hard pressed to find anything new of grand importance between the main gates of CFB Petawawa and Drive-In Road....Canadian Tire has a nice new store, so does HomeHardware...there's WalMart, and now HomeDepot, a new Shoppers DrugMart just opened...but apart from that.... ...in Petawawa, our GM dealer is gone, as is our Ford dealer...Petawawa Toyota moved down the street into Pembroke...a dozen or more business listings for sale..... As for Costco coming to the area....I wouldn't bet on it...I've been told that Costco requires a "draw" of 3.2 million consumers...Pembroke could only come up with 2 million.

I am even further lost when you mention the grossly overpriced property values here in Pet. With the national average preoperty value increasing 12% last year (Mar`05-Mar-06), and Ontario averaging an increase of over 8%, and Petawawa averaging an increase of about 10%, I'd say the prices in Petawawa, given the economic growth in the area (including but not limited to the increase in numbers announced for CFB Petawawa) is right in line with the rest of the country. Low interest rates have contibuted to the increase in people buying houses in the area, along with the increase in available funds for a downpayment (thanks in large part to the generous benefits attributed to an overseas deployment) Put all that together with the basic pay increases from a few years ago...more and more CF members can afford a house. Supply and demand...the more demand for a commodity, while the supply stays steady or advances slower than the demand, the higher the price that can be achieved....speaking of which.....what do you pay at the pump now?


Bruce...I'm looking forward to going...already got my invitation at the office. Should be an informative luncheon. I wonder if, going back to the original topic of this thread, if he will talk about the future of the Tim Hortons on base?

[George Wallace]

Geroge, how long have you been out of Pet? From what I can see....I see a mass exodus from Pet. It may be that the current business owners are just getting to that age...but there are many busniesses listed for sale, and many more that are for sale, but not "on the system".  New businesses?? Other than KFC and Kelsey's....hardley offset the ones that are closing/leaving or have already left.

I may be looking at it on a much too narrow basis, but....hey, I could be wrong.

Now that we are way off topic...I wonder where you have been.

New Strip Mall behind the New KFC in the same parking lot as the New Moncion Grocery and Drug Store.  New things like Kelsey's.  Just before that a relatively new McDonald's (just 10 years old).  Across from the 'new' McDonald's another Strip mall with a Pharma Plus, Magic Cuts, and video store.  New Car Dealer moved into Michael Motors location and hopefully better service.  How about Crazylogic?  Subway.  Yogi's.  The Warehouse.  Petawawa Inn.  New TD Bank.  Lots of new things in Pet.......were you around when there was only the Legion off Base, everything else was in Pembroke......Tim Horton's in Pet is probably one of the busiest in Canada since it opened less than ten years ago.......the one on Base has the fastest service in Canada.......forget service in the Timmies in CFB Kingston.....15 minutes to serve three is ridiculous...........

[Rider Pride]

I do not see the change of businesses the same way as you, xrme. A few less car dealerships in Petawawa proper, great. I see alot of new business with greater variety now then we had 10 yrs ago. In fact now, one does not have to drive to Pembroke to get to a decent grocery, drug, or knick-knack store.

As for the housing prices, that was a lob ball to your area of expertise...nice homer. 

[Nerf herder]

Seeing as now the topic is now on Petawawa properties....

I know of at least 3 houses (2 bedroom "shacks") that were bought 5 years ago for approx $85 k and have just sold for $160 - $175k.

Very modest work was done to the houses and the properties are very small.

A wee bit more than the 10%.

I have a relative in the area who is posted and is selling his house, bought approx $115 (4years ago)....sold it for $169k

I was posted to Pet around the same time and was amazed at the outrageous prices here compared to NB where 4 acres and a 3 bedroom home under 20yrs old was going for approx $105 - $115k....in Pet they were asking for $180k and 1/2 acre.

The market in Pet and the surrounding area is artificially inflated...period. Everyone knows it but are stuck with it.

I'm not going to buy a house until I get posted out.....it's worth the wait in my case anyway.

Regards