STATION REPORT

CANADIAN FORCES BASE BORDEN

BORDEN, ONTARIO CANADA

1.      LOCATION:  Base Borden is situated in the center of one of the major tourist areas in Ontario.  The region abounds with cultural and recreational facilities and historical sites.

2.      NEAREST CITY:  Located 10 miles north of Borden is Barrie with a population of 100,000+.  Immediately outside the north (front) gate of the Base is Angus, population of 16,000+.  However, if you travel the back gate – south – the city of Alliston is about 10 miles out and claims a population of 23,000+.  It has a very quaint downtown area with shopping and a variety of diners.  Both cities are growing very rapidly.

3.      CLIMATE:  The climate of Borden is generally humid and the temperatures range from in the mid 80s in the summer to the teen ranges in January.  There are short periods where temperatures dip well below zero in the late evenings and carry on into the daytime (with added wind-chill).  Snow is an occurrence, but very sporadic.  The mounds melt in time for another burst to come through! 

4.      PROXIMITY TO LARGE CITIES:       Toronto, Ontario: 70 miles southeast

Ottawa, Ontario: 330 miles northeast

Niagara Falls: 140 miles southeast

North Bay, Ontario: 120 miles north

5.      FACILITIES AVAILABLE:

1. Housing:  There are two married quarter locations on the Base, north and south side, containing 1333 units.  These include separate and semi-attached houses of two to four bedrooms, with 1 or 1.5 baths.  The 3- and 4-bedroom homes are two stories.  They range from approximately 1000 to 1400 sq feet.  There are NO garages; however, they have outside sheds and attic storage.  All houses are individually metered for gas and electricity, and occupants pay the respective utility company.  You will pay the Canadian Forces Housing Agency rent each month (in Canadian currency) which means you will maintain your BAQ entitlement.  Single people can also live in the housing units. 

Accommodations off Base:  Apartments are scattered around the different communities surrounding the Base.  Houses are far and few between for renting; however, they do show up at times.

2. Schools:  There are two elementary schools on Base, grades Kindergarten to Grade 8.  High School students are bussed to appropriate local area schools.  Sponsors can arrange for students who live off base to attend this base school rather than the one they would normally attend in the home area.  There are many public schools in the community.

3. Commissary:  A small supermarket offers a full assortment of groceries, produce, meat and deli, dry cleaning, video rental, and lottery tickets.

4. Base Exchange (CANEX):  To help provide basic necessities, Borden has a number of outlets operated by the CANEX to provide retail goods and services.  The retail store stocks an assortment of clothing, sportswear, appliances, and furniture.  However, it is limited and small.  Unlike AAFES, CANEX taxes all items.

5. Shopping:  Shopping centers are available and growing.  There are numerous strip and outlet malls as well as the indoor type, all with eat-in or take-out food services.

6. Recreation:  Summer and winter sports facilities are numerous.  No less than seven golf courses are within reach of the Base; with one right behind the ACPDTC School.  There are beaches and lakes galore; and in the winter, ski slopes, cross-country trails, and snowmobile facilities are close at hand.  The Family Resource Center has a great variety of programs for youth, quality of life, volunteering, crisis intervention, and information/resources and children services.  In addition, the base has two gymnasiums, one of which has an indoor swimming pool.  There is an indoor ice arena where you can try you hand at curling, free skating, ice or floor hockey.  And not to forget, there is a military museum, library, and cinema theatre.

7. Mess Facilities:  There is an enlisted Mess with many social events, in which you are encouraged to participate actively.  Meals and drinks are available.  The Mess is primarily oriented toward the enlisted member, however, spouses are permitted to participate. 

8. Public Transportation:  There is bus transportation available to nearby cities and also to Toronto.  The CANEX has a detailed schedule.  Taxi service is readily available. 

6.      WHAT TO BRING:

1. Appliances: The kitchen (range and refrigerator) or laundry appliances are not furnished.  They are not supplied in base housing units.  Stoves and clothes dryers need to be electric.  You will need to convert the clothes dryer electric outlet cord to a different prong, which you can obtain at the local hardware store.  A refrigerator is a necessary item, however be aware, the kitchens are not very large.  Also, the plumbing for a dishwasher is not available.  If you have a deep freeze, depending on the type of house you are assigned can be put in the small utility room.  You can purchase all appliances used or new off the local economy.  The housing units do not have central air conditioning or even window units.  Portable fans or window a/c units are an optional appliance you may consider.

2. Car:  By all means, bring your vehicle.  If bringing a new car, Ziebart or other rust proofing treatment will certainly pay for itself many times over.  In the winter, salt is freely used on the roads to melt the snow and ice.  This causes a severe corrosion problem if not washed off frequently.  However, there are places in town to have this done.  They have most of the more common car dealerships (Olds, Ford, Chevy, Nissan, Toyota, Honda, etc.).  Ontario registration and an Ontario driver’s license are mandatory.  Ontario considers an auto registration to be an ownership document.  Do not surrender you car title.  There is no requirement for you to take a written or driving exam, however, here in Barrie, they will take your stateside license and send it back to the stateside vehicle office.  Expect to pay a fee for your license, good for 5 years.  On the other hand, you’ll renew your license plate annually, in the month before your birth date.  Do not surrender your US State license plates at any time. 

3. Clothing:  The climate is typical of any north central region of the US.  Winter coats, hats and gloves are a necessity, so be prepared.  Boots and overshoes are highly recommended.  Canadian stores do have a good selection of stylish winter clothing.  Prices are comparable to US.  Summer clothing is something you should bring, because it is not always cold here.  I wouldn’t store any clothing, bring it all!

7.      BANKING AND MAIL:  Numerous banking facilities are available on Base or in the nearby cities.  When opening your account be sure to ask questions regarding fees and policy on holding cheques for specified days before depositing – you do not want a hold on any of your money before you are able to use it.  They are pretty cooperative if you know what you want from them.  Keep your direct-deposit account in the States, and deposit a cheque once or twice a month to the local bank. 

Mail:  Postal Services are available.  The CANEX has all types of stamps (international, US, and local).  They also can mail out packages for you.  If you reside on base, most larger packages sent to you will be left at this office.  You will receive a card in your mail to go and pick up the package.  Be aware that it is quite a bit more expensive to send and receive packages in Canada.

8.      COMMUNITY RELATIONS:  The base has a good relationship with area communities.  The base provides military personnel for many of the Armed Forces type functions.

9.      CHURCHES AND SYNAGOGUES:  There are two chapels on Base:  Trinity Protestant Chapel and St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Chapel.  Full programs of church-associated activities are conducted under auspices of the base chaplains.  Other denominational places of worship are located in the nearby communities.

10.  GENERAL COMMENTS:  Base Borden is a training site.  It has 9 major schools providing half of the training load of the Canadian Forces Recruiting, Education and Training System.  In addition, some 10 other units/sections support the Base.  Annually, over 280 courses are taught to over 15,000 students.  The people are absolutely overzealous to help.  The terrain and scenery are breathtaking, with clouds meeting the land from a distance.  If you want to know more about Barrie, hook up to their website:  www.barrietourism.on.ca.  It’s a great place to live!

11.  USAF EXCHANGE POSITION AT THIS LOCATION:

- Master Sergeant/8T000; Professional Military Education Instructor

Last Update: 22Feb00