UCalgary receives funding for eight infrastructure projects totalling $160 million

The federal government announced Friday that the University of Calgary received funding for eight key infrastructure projects totalling $160 million from the Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund (SIF). The federal government will provide $78 million, with the remaining $82 million coming from a mix of provincial funding, philanthropy and the university’s own infrastructure dollars.

“This once-in-a-generation investment by the Government of Canada is a historic downpayment on the government’s vision to position Canada as a global centre for innovation,” said Navdeep Bains, minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, pictured above. “That means making Canada a world leader in turning ideas into solutions, science into technologies, skills into middle-class jobs and startup companies into global successes. This investment will create conditions that are conducive to innovation and long-term growth, which will in turn keep the Canadian economy globally competitive.”

“We are extremely pleased and thank the federal government for this incredible investment and the provincial government for their ongoing support,” says University President Elizabeth Cannon. “This is truly a great day for our students, our researchers and the Alberta economy. What a fantastic way to start the school year — providing our brightest minds with the best spaces in which to learn, explore and collaborate.”

With this funding, the University of Calgary will accelerate infrastructure projects that will benefit students and researchers. The university will also be able to accelerate progress towards our sustainability goals related to energy performance and emissions reduction. This significant investment to improve campus facilities will also create immediate construction jobs and longer-term economic diversification through research and innovation during a challenging time for Alberta.

The provincial government showed their support at today’s announcement. “Supporting our post-secondary institutions with these important infrastructure investments will ensure Albertans have access to quality, modern learning opportunities and create much needed jobs to stimulate and grow our economy,” said Marlin Schmidt, minister of Advanced Education.

Approved SIF projects

• Engineering Complex, Phase 2B, Renewal
• Engineering Complex, Phase 3, Renovation
• High Density Library Expansion
• Research and Innovation Infrastructure Renewal Projects
• Research Field Stations Upgrades
• Science A Redevelopment, Phase 2 early work
• Utility Reduction Program, Phase 1
• Veterinary Medicine Clinical Skills Building Expansion

 Benefitting UCalgary research and students

“Infrastructure isn’t just about the buildings on campus,” says Bart Becker, vice-president (facilities). “The spaces in which students learn, explore and collaborate is crucial to their success and their overall experience at the University of Calgary. Infrastructure also plays a critical role in research and innovation. Research spaces that are modern and flexible enable collaboration, inspire innovation and support our research priorities.”

“The field station upgrades will play a critical role in supporting our research work,” says Masaki Hayashi, professor and Canada Research Chair, Physical Hydrology — one of the many researchers who will benefit from this investment. “Over the past decade, our pioneering work in the Canadian Rockies has positioned the University of Calgary as an international leader in the study of groundwater processes in alpine headwater regions, which are the source of water supply for all provinces in Western Canada. We plan to build on the success of our ongoing work and conduct unique field studies out of the Barrier Lake Field Station over the next decade."

The right physical environment creates the right conditions for innovation, and allows students to strengthen research programs and explore new solutions to today’s global challenges.  All eight projects will be substantially completed by spring 2018.

Information on how these projects will affect the campus community will be shared in the coming weeks and months. For more information, and to stay up to date on the SIF projects, visit the Facilities website