KIP projects move forward at the U of S

Rob Norris (Minister of Advanced Education, Employment and Labour), Brad Trost (MP for Saskatoon-Humboldt), Dr. Karen Chad (U of S Acting Vice-President Research) and WCVM Dean Dr. Charles Rhodes.

Federal and provincial government officials were at the University of Saskatchewan (U of S) on August 10 to discuss an update on the $22.9 million in funding going towards refurbishing a number of roofs and renovating the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) diagnostic lab.

The joint funding is part of the Knowledge Infrastructure Program (KIP) launched in June 2009.

“Our government is pleased to partner with the federal government to support our many post-secondary institutions—including our students, faculty members, and staff—across the province,” Advanced Education, Employment and Labour Minister Rob Norris said. “This significant provincial investment in advanced educational infrastructure is helping to create jobs, upgrade facilities, and build a renewed post-secondary system that is focused on excellence, innovation and inclusion.”

Home to several global centres of excellence, the U of S is the largest post-secondary institution in the province and is regarded as one of the foremost medical doctoral universities in the country.

The U of S KIP-funded projects are:

• Renovations of the WCVM diagnostic lab and associated areas that will enhance the college’s training, research and clinical programs. These upgraded facilities and technologies will allow the college to make even more vital contributions to Canada’s animal, human and public health networks. The project is underway and expected to be completed by December 2010.

• A campus-wide roof renewal project to fix leak-prone roofs on 47 buildings. Upgraded roofs will save energy by reducing heat loss and cooling requirements, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and ensure academic and research programs are not interrupted by maintenance issues. Many roofing projects have already started—law building, engineering building, original physics building, and Edwards School of Business building—and are expected to be finished by summer’s end.

Brad Trost, Federal MP for Saskatoon-Humboldt, spoke about the federal government’s involvement in the program. “This grant is an example of one of the practical ways our government is supporting Canadian students. By helping maintain and improve our university, we are ensuring that it will continue to compete with other institutes world-wide and remain a highlight for our country and for Saskatchewan,” Trost said.

“Whether improving facilities at the WCVM or maintaining infrastructure with campus-wide roof renewal, these Knowledge Infrastructure projects ensure that the U of S is a world-class teaching and research institution with state-of-the-art facilities,” said Karen Chad, U of S Acting Vice-President Research. “This federal and provincial support helps provide our researchers and students with the best learning environment possible.”

This funding is part of the $55 million the province is contributing under the Knowledge Infrastructure Program announced in June 2009. KIP is a two-year $2-billion program that will provide economic stimulus measures to support infrastructure enhancement at Canadian post-secondary institutions, including universities and community colleges. It will result in the creation of jobs for engineers, architects, trades people and technicians, as well as help to ensure that Saskatchewan and Canada are better positioned to contribute to, and benefit from, the global knowledge economy.