Site chosen for new public health lab in Saskatchewan

Regina, SK – A new provincial public health laboratory in Saskatchewan is a step closer to reality. The province’s health minister, John Nilson, has announced that the Regina Research Park, adjacent to the University of Regina, is the proposed site for the $26.7-million facility.

The team of P3 Architecture/Cohos Evamy, in association with Ben Kelley Architect, has been awarded the contract to design the new facility. Design work will begin immediately, and expected completion date for the new lab is March 2008.

Plans for the new provincial laboratory were announced last November. It is intended to meet future needs by improving testing capability and speeding up intervention in the event of a public health crisis such as SARS or an influenza pandemic.

“It is with pride that the government is celebrating plans for a new lab during Saskatchewan’s centennial year,” said Mr Nilson. “The public health system has been a source of great pride for Saskatchewan people for much of the last 100 years; initiatives like this new facility will carry our pride into the future.”