November 04, 2011
MP Mark Warawa Celebrates Opening of the Neufeld Science Centre at Trinity Western University
LANGLEY, BC – Mark Warawa, Member of Parliament for Langley, was at Trinity Western University in Langley today to officially open the newly renovated Neufeld Science Centre that will provide training space for the School of Nursing and for the development of graduate programs in Biology and Chemistry. The Harper Government invested in the renewal and expansion of laboratories, learning commons and student facilities at colleges and universities across Canada.
The project received a Government of Canada investment of $1.953 million through the Knowledge Infrastructure Program, an important job creation program launched in 2009 to help respond to the global economic recession, under Canada’s Economic Action Plan. The total project cost $3.9 million.
“Our government is investing in research and training facilities at campuses across the country to create jobs, help our economy recover quickly and improve the quality of life of Canadians,” said Warawa. “This investment created local jobs and help improve Trinity’s research infrastructure, providing benefits now and for years to come.”
This project involves renovation of the current Neufeld Science Centre and expansion of the facility by 7,778 square feet. The new addition houses an animal care facility, a nuclear magnetic resonance equipment room, biology and chemistry research laboratories, a tissue culture room, a conference room and office space. Renovations were also made to the existing facility.
The new facility improves biosecurity standards by providing space for proper control and storage of microbial samples, cells and tissues, and research animals as well as security alarms to restrict access to research personnel only. “The expansion increases research productivity and enables Trinity Western University to expand research and business partnerships, and provides opportunities for highly qualified personnel,” says Warawa.
Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the government is bolstering Canada’s knowledge economy by injecting an additional $6.3 billion into the economy through investments in science, technology and innovation. “As Canada begins to emerge from the global recession, investments in state-of-the-art research labs, libraries and learning commons are essential to creating and securing valuable, skilled jobs, both now and in the future,” said Warawa.
In addition to the Neufeld Science Centre expansion, Trinity Western University was also awarded a $661,000 KIP grant towards the $1.3 million upgrade of its information and communication technologies, integrating all campus IT infrastructure.
As part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Government of Canada introduced the Knowledge Infrastructure Program, a $2-billion economic stimulus measure to maintain and improve research and training facilities at Canadian universities, colleges and CEGEPs. For more information on the Knowledge Infrastructure Program, visit the Knowledge Infrastructure Program website (www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/696.nsf/eng/home). For information on Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit the Canada’s Economic Action Plan website (www.actionplan.gc.ca/eng/index.asp).
