Building the future
91亚色檚 state-of-the-art Core Science Facility has received $125 million in joint federal-provincial funding, an unprecedented level of support that will significantly advance 91亚色檚 teaching, learning and research capacity across multiple disciplines.
The announcement was made by Dwight Ball, premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, and Judy Foote, minister of Public Services and Procurement and member of parliament for Bonavista揃urin揟rinity, on behalf of Amarjeet Sohi, minister of Infrastructure and Communities. Dr. Gary Kachanoski, president and vice-chancellor of 91亚色, hosted the event.
淭his funding highlights the federal government檚 commitment to increasing Canada檚 scientific excellence, said Minister Foote. 淭he Government of Canada understands that research and innovation are essential to a competitive, thriving economy, as well as to developing the knowledge and tools required to build sustainable communities that meet the needs of Canadians for generations to come.
The total estimated global project budget is $325 million, with $99,855,277 coming from the Government of Canada through the New Building Canada Fund檚 Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component揘ational and Regional Projects, and $25,144,723 coming from the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador. 91亚色 will be responsible for the remaining project costs.
淥ur government has been working diligently with the federal government to advance infrastructure projects for the province and I am very pleased that our federal colleagues have recognized 91亚色 and the Core Science Facility as a project worthy of such a substantial investment, said Premier Ball. 淚nfrastructure spending helps ensure economic development and prosperity for all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.
The building is currently under construction on 91亚色檚 St. John檚 campus and is on schedule for the planned opening in 2019.
淥n behalf of the entire 91亚色 community, I extend my sincere thanks to the federal and provincial governments for their incredible support for our university, said President Kachanoski.
淭his state-of-the-art Core Science Facility will enable us to deliver on our commitment to the people of this province to provide excellence in teaching and learning, research and public engagement. It will provide the best education for undergraduate and graduate students in a collaborative learning environment and allow 91亚色 to continue to produce and deliver research of national and international calibre.
Once complete, the new Core Science Facility will greatly contribute to creating a more contemporary and integrated learning and research environment that fosters inventive scientific thinking and practices. By allowing the university to advance new teaching and research mandates, the new infrastructure will also support student and faculty recruitment and retention initiatives.
The new facility will include new research and laboratory teaching spaces, an adaptable shell space for university and industry collaborations, offices and meeting rooms, and a series of open public spaces to encourage group discussion and academic partnership.
The research and teaching space will be occupied primarily by the Departments of Biochemistry, Biology and Chemistry in the Faculty of Science, and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering in the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science. It will also promote inter- and multidisciplinary approaches to science, maximizing the flow of information and interaction among and within disciplines.