Grenfell Campus Extension Reaffirms
Commitment to Post-Secondary Education

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador demonstrated its ongoing commitment to post-secondary education today by highlighting a $19.2 million investment at the grand opening of Memorial University’s Grenfell Campus Arts and Sciences Building extension in Corner Brook. This morning, the Honourable Joan Burke, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills, was joined by representatives of the federal and provincial governments and officials from Memorial University to make the announcement.

In addition to the Provincial Government investment, the Government of Canada’s investment of $7.975 million is part of the Knowledge Infrastructure Program, the $2 billion economic stimulus measure that supported infrastructure enhancement at Canadian post-secondary institutions.

“Our government has invested in innovation and knowledge infrastructure to set the foundation for economic prosperity,” said Peter Penashue, Regional Minister for Newfoundland and Labrador, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada. “This project not only created jobs for people in the community but also provided the infrastructure that will benefit Memorial University for years to come.”

The Provincial Government’s $19.2 million investment in the Arts and Science extension is provided by funding through its ongoing $5 billion, multi-year infrastructure investments.

“With this investment for the Grenfell Campus Arts and Sciences Building extension, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is recognizing the critical role of modern infrastructure at Memorial University to propel our provincial prosperity,” said Minister Burke. “This facility will enhance students’ educational experiences, provide the largest research-quality telescope in Atlantic Canada, and help create opportunities to support the region’s long-term growth.”

The $27.2 million extension adds research, computer and meeting spaces to the campus infrastructure, including an observatory featuring a state-of-the-art $417,000 astronomical telescope that will be used primarily as a research and teaching resource for physics and astronomy, and for community outreach programs. The telescope houses a reflecting mirror with almost 10,000 times the light-gathering ability of the human eye.

The extension will be used by a variety of academic disciplines including chemistry, physics, earth science, biology and ecological economics. The expansion also provides for faculty and staff offices, as well as dedicated study areas for students. Additionally, it contains small group meeting rooms that are of particular importance to the business program. The extension was constructed according to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards.

“We are thankful to our federal and provincial governments for their support of this much needed project,” said Dr. Gary Kachanoski, Memorial’s president and vice-chancellor. “As our plans continue to unfold to see Grenfell Campus grow, this new space becomes even more important.”

The total Provincial Government investment in post-secondary education has grown from $246.1 million in 2003-04 to $548.1 million in 2012-13 – a 122.7 per cent increase. Through Budget 2012: People and Prosperity, the Provincial Government continues to make strategic investments to support post-secondary infrastructure, including $40.8 million for the construction of new student residences, creating at least 200 residence beds at Grenfell Campus and 500 residence beds in St. John’s. In addition, $4.7 million has been allocated for improvements to maintain the quality of science laboratories at Memorial.

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2012 05 25             11:15 a.m.