New Malta Armory on pace for Dec. completion

The Montana National Guard Malta Readiness Center is on schedule to be completed in December of 2020. Swank Construction is currently putting the finishing touches on the building and moving heavy equipment and construction trailers off of the site. The Center which took approximately one and one-half years to build will be the future home of the National Guard's 484th Military Police Company.

The opening of this facility will be the culmination of a vision that began in 2012 when the Readiness Center was programmed on the Federal Development Plan. The Montana Construction and Facilities Management Office at Fort Harrison put many hours into working with the National Guard Bureau's staff to identify a site location, ensure environmental compliance and secure necessary funding. With funding was secured, SMA Architects from Helena was selected as the design team lead.

The building which contains offices, a full kitchen, drill floor, storage area, weapons vault, multi-media classrooms, and simulated firearms training room will carry a U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design "Silver" designation. That means with its enhanced insulation, LED lighting and energy saving mechanical equipment, it provides maximum energy and water efficiency standards. A separate adjacent General Purpose Maintenance Building includes, military vehicle maintenance bays, a wash bay, maintenance tool storage and reference library and unheated equipment storage.

Prior to construction the 24-acre site was not developed and had limited infrastructure within the property limits. New supporting facilities for the site include access roads, parking areas, walkways, storm-water control,utilities and landscaping. Flexible pavement provides for Privately Owned Vehicle (POV) parking and access roads. Concrete pavement is provided for Military Equipment Parking (MEP) areas and truck dock loading areas.

The Montana National Guard anticipates the building will be ready for soldier move-in mid-January once the furniture, physical fitness and kitchen equipment have been installed.

A new $16 million Field Maintenance Shop is also planned for Malta. It is anticipated that the construction of the Field Maintenance Shop will begin in 2024.