Mount Allison University receives $4.3M for infrastructure projects on campus
2009-06-26 12:55:44
Federal, provincial investments will allow for significant renovations in the Barclay Building
SACKVILLE, NB — The Barclay Chemistry and Biochemistry Building at Mount Allison University is getting a green makeover that will enhance experiential learning and research capabilities for students and researchers. Senator John D. Wallace and New Brunswick Minister of Post-Secondary Education, Labour and Training, the Honourable Donald Arseneault announced $2.1 million in funding for the University through the federal Knowledge Infrastructure Program (KIP), with a matching contribution of $2.2 million from the province of New Brunswick.
Mount Allison University Provost and Vice-President, Academic and Research, Dr. Stephen McClatchie, says, “The KIP and matching provincial funding received today will assist with several renovation projects in the Barclay Chemistry and Biochemistry Building. This will enhance the teaching and research experience for all students and faculty at Mount Allison, while reducing the University’s environmental footprint.
Student research opportunities are key to experiential learning. Enhancing our facilities augments this experience for our students. There are, on average, between 30 and 35 students working as summer researchers in the chemistry and biochemistry department alone at Mount Allison and this spring many of our students in this department received top standings at regional and national conferences. This investment will only help to enhance their learning and research opportunities.”
“We are pleased that Mount Allison University is receiving $2.1 million under KIP. Coupled with our investment of $2.2 million, Mount A will be on the right track to meet its infrastructure needs and meet the educational requirements of future generations,” says Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour Minister Donald Arseneault.
New Brunswick Senator John D. Wallace says, “The Government of Canada’s Knowledge Infrastructure Program is designed to stimulate and enhance both the economy and our educational institutions. These projects, such as the ones at Mount Allison, will put many people to work, and strengthen Canada’s role as a leader in science and technology, benefitting all Canadians.”
Infrastructure plans for Mount Allison’s Barclay Chemistry and Biochemistry building include the replacement of the laboratory exhaust system, giving the opportunity to redesign lab spaces and create move interactive and user-friendly learning environments. This includes the replacement of 51 fume hoods, which are essential to the research endeavours of faculty and students. The new design will also allow users to turn off fume hoods when not in use, thus greatly reducing the University’s energy use and improving the air quality.
In addition to the Exhaust System Renewal Project, Mount Allison will use the federal and provincial funding to complete updates to ensure the continues structural integrity of the Barclay Building, including upgrades to reduce its energy consumption, improve water infiltration, and make the building more accessible. Increased efficiency and improved accessibility are goals the University has in place for all campus renovation projects, as seen most recently with the opening of the Wallace McCain Student Centre in 2008, which includes such green features as a rainwater collection system and sensor lighting.
Photo caption (left to right): Honourable Donald Arseneault, New Brunswick Minister of Post-Secondary Education, Training, and Labour, Senator John Wallace, Mount Allison University chemistry department head Dr. Stephen Duffy, Mount Allison honours chemistry student Jennifer Melanson, Mount Allison University Provost and Vice-President, Academic and Research Dr. Stephen McClatchie, and Mount Allison Executive Director, Campaign and University Advancement Michael Cantwell pose for a photo in the Barclay Chemistry and Biochemistry Building at Mount Allison. The federal and provincial governments announced a joint investment of $4.3 million for renovation projects in the building at Mount Allison on June 26.
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