Knowledge infrastructure projects move forward at the University of Saskatchewan

Saskatoon, SK – Federal and were provincial government officials were at the University of Saskatchewan (U of S) earlier this week 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.

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.

“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 $55M the province is contributing under the Knowledge Infrastructure Program announced in June 2009.