New pub opens at CFB Trenton

November 10, 2016 at 9:03 am

Entrence to the Pub. Photo by Makala Chapman QNet News

Entrance to the Earl of Bessborough Social House at CFB Trenton. Photo by Makala Chapman, QNet News

By Makala Chapman, Rachel Stark, and James Gaughan

TRENTON – Staff at 8 Wing Trenton are getting a new hangout spot.

More than 100 people attended the grand opening of 8 Wing’s Earl of Bessborough Social House which was held on Thursday, Nov. 10 around noon.

8 Wing Cmdr. Col. Colin Keiver officially opened the pub for members of the base with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

“It means the world to see everyone here,” said Keiver. “This was a great example of people coming together.”

The area was designed to look like a traditional pub with the furniture and fixtures donated from various businesses across the province.

Contractor and TV personality Damon Bennett was one of the many community partners that helped turn the underused hall into the new gathering space.

Bennett said he first signed on for the project in July and has been working alongside Keiver ever since.

“This isn’t charity but it’s giving back,” said Bennett. “How do you say thank you to this many troops? This is a great way.”

Bennett and... Photo by Makala Chapman, QNet News

Col. Colin Keiver and Damon Bennett Photo by Makala Chapman, QNet News

The contractor said he had been a long supporter of the military and was happy to be a part of the project.

“My hope for this place is that people just enjoy it and that there’s a place where they can actually come together,” said Bennett.

Keiver says he hopes that the pub will give the troops a much needed place to relax on their downtime.

“It’s a place they’re able to come and socialize and tell stories and create that common narrative that to me is the essence of the air force,” said Keiver.

Although the pub has just opened, the project is already creating a lot of buzz.

“It’s a beautiful space and it’s already creating mass amounts of discussion across the Canadian Forces in terms of what we’ve done here,” said Keiver.

As for Bennett, he said he is open to taking part in similar projects.

“I’ve had some other requests to do stuff on other military bases so we will see where this goes.”

The pub will be open to all military personnel and the community of CFB Trenton.