Community flocks to Halifax Shipyard for first peek at new naval ship

About 4,500 people made their way to the Halifax Shipyard on Saturday for a first glimpse at the future Canadian naval shipHMCSHarry DeWolf.

Irving Shipbuilding's open house coincidedwith crews moving outside two large sections of whatwill eventually form theArctic offshore patrolship.

"Today, everybody gets to see the fruits of the labour over the last six years to really re-establish Canada as a world-class shipbuilding centre for naval ships right here in Nova Scotia. We wanted to have a big party," saidKevin McCoy, president of Irving Shipbuilding.

• Halifax's first Arctic patrol ship to be pieced together this summer

'We work very, very hard'

The federal government is paying thecompany for$2.3 billion to build six new Arctic patrol shipsby 2022.The armed vessels will allow the navy to better carry out surveillance and enforce Canadian sovereignty.

Saturday's open house was filled with tours, speeches and lots of activities for kids, such as face painting, ice cream and balloon animals.

"It's been phenomenal. My family has had such a great time today, checking everything out, playing," saidDave Pedersen, a naval architect technologist with Irving Shipbuilding.

His five-year-old son, CadenPedersen, was over the moon about a red balloon tiger made for him.

"I'm just amazed with everything that's been put on today. And it's well worth it, because we work very, very hard on these ships," Pedersen said.

Ship made of 3 mega-blocks

The 103-metreship willassembledfrom threemega-blocks, made up of 21 smaller blocks each.

The centre and stern of the ship were moved outside this week for further outfitting.

Vice-Admiral Ron Lloyd, the commander of the navy, said the shipwill first have trials in the water with the Irving team before eventually being turned over to the navy.

"The Canadian Navy is definitely in need of new ships, which is why we're very happy to see the commitment to the new 15 surface combatants, to the Arctic and offshore patrol vessels and the Queenston-class[joint support ships]," he said.

Launch expected in 2018

HMCSHarryDeWolfis expected to launch in 2018.

Cmdr. CoreyGleasonwill be the first person to captain the ship and its crew of 65 personnel.

"It's a huge historical moment in time for me and my family and the Royal Canadian Navy," Gleason said, adding he was thrilled to see so many people at Saturday's open house.

"To open up the doors, to bring the general public in, I think that's really important for everybody. Because everybody's asking the question: 'What's going on inside there?'"