Maine Army National Guard Conducts Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at Newly Renovated Calais Readiness Center

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Brig. Gen. Hugh Corbett, the assistant adjutant general of the Maine Army National Guard cuts the ribbon at the grand reopening ceremony of the newly renovated Readiness Center in Calais Saturday

AUGUSTA, ME (11/07/2016)(readMedia)-- Brig. Gen. Hugh T. Corbett, the Assistant Adjutant General for the Maine Army National Guard, hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open the newly renovated Calais readiness center located on 53 Calais Avenue on Saturday.

The readiness center is home to approximately 55 Soldiers from the 1136th Transportation Company.

The $4.6 million renovation lasted just over one year and used $2 million from the 2013 state bond along with $2.6 million in federal funds. The construction efforts focused on significantly modernizing the interior spaces and making energy efficiency improvements to the 14,900 square foot main building.

"To look at this facility in person, you would think that it was a brand new readiness center," said Brig Gen Douglas A. Farnham, Adjutant General of the Maine National Guard. "The improvements to this existing facility are significant, as are the cost savings to our taxpayers. We simply could not have overhauled this armory if not for the bond."

The readiness center renovation will provide a long term benefit to occupant health and a reduced impact to the environment due to replacing heating, ventilation and cooling systems, replacing lighting fixtures, replacing flooring throughout, a new kitchen, improving insulation throughout the facility, replacing windows and most of the roof (excluding over the drill floor as the roof was replaced in 2008), a fire suppression system, and new electrical system to meet current National Electrical Code requirements.

"The Calais Readiness Center renovation project is an outstanding example of what can be accomplished when the community, the State, the National Guard, and contractors understand the goals and keep the focus on the finish line," said Col. Dwaine E. Drummond, director of facilities and engineering for the Maine Army National Guard. "Our contractors displayed exceptional planning and craftsmanship. Washington County Community College displayed true community spirit and provided our soldiers a temporary home, and the tax payers of Maine have received a great return on their investment."