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A $2.7-million project has received approval under the Canada/Ontario Infrastructure Works program, Elizabeth Witmer, Minister of Health, Andrew Telegdi, MP for Kitchener-Waterloo, and James Downey, president of the University of Waterloo, announced today.Dennis Huber, UW's associate provost (general services and finance), says the money received is just what was asked for back in June. It includes $675,000 to upgrade the campus computer network, $625,000 for renewing faculty laboratories, and $1,415,947 for "maintenance of mechanical systems in academic buildings".Funding will be used to carry out renewal projects in the Faculties of Science, Engineering and Environmental Studies. The laboratory improvements will help to accommodate modern teaching and research activities. Upgrades to utilities will improve air quality and reduce energy consumption.
"The University of Waterloo continues to be a leader in its field," said Witmer. "This infrastructure project will provide for continued long-term economic growth and development in this region, while providing an improved environment for students, staff and the entire community."
"To ensure Canada's competitiveness in a global economy, we need better prepared students and improved learning facilities in all our educational institutions," said Telegdi. "I am proud to see funding from the infrastructure program contribute to the renewal of laboratories in the Science, Engineering and Environmental Faculties at the University of Waterloo."
"The University of Waterloo appreciates this form of support from the two senior levels of government," said Downey. "It helps us keep abreast of the needs and expectations of our faculty and students."
Canada/Ontario Infrastructure Works is a joint venture of the federal and provincial governments with participation from local partners such as municipalities, post-secondary institutions and health care facilities. The program is designed to renew Ontario's infrastructure, which leads to economic development and job creation.
The $459 million invested through the recent extension of the program will bring total investment in Ontario's infrastructure under the program to $2.8 billion. The first phase of the program has already created more than 33,000 jobs and the new funding is expected to generate thousands more jobs in Ontario.
He says I was wrong yesterday in speculating that the ring road repairs are being paid for from the infrastructure money. Those costs are being funded through a separate provincial government program, Facilities Renewal, he said.
Canada-Ontario Infrastructure projects require the local agency (that's UW) to come up with one-third of the total money. Huber says UW's share is coming from various sources including the project sponsor's operating budgets -- the information systems and technology budget for the computer network upgrade, the plant operations budget for maintenance projects, "various funding sources available in the faculties" for the faculty labs.
Bell Emergis will move 15 to 20 staff to Waterloo in conjunction with the project, and may relocate some of its other business initiatives to Waterloo, Jim Tobin said following a speech to members of the area Communitech technology association meeting in Kitchener.Tobin, senior vice-president of Bell Emergis, expects the new research facility, to be known as the Bell Emergis Lab, will quickly be seen as a rival to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) media lab, and similar high-profile projects at Stanford University and Carnegie Mellon.
The lab, which will go beyond anything that currently exists in Canada, will be Emergis' major research effort, he said. . . . Research to be done at the lab will focus on networking and interactive technologies for the consumer. . . .
"I would assume within a year, you could easily see dozens of faculty members directly involved in the work." . . . The plan by Emergis to set up part of its core research facility in Waterloo could help to fuel a new generation of spinoff companies in this area.
The workshop runs from 12 noon to 1:30 tomorrow in Engineering I room 3522. Participants are asked to pre-register by today (e-mail trace@watserv1). More information: ext. 3132. "Remember to bring your lunch. Juice will be provided."
Here's what they have going:
As Oktoberfest continues, there will be some serious partying tonight at the Kitchener Auditorium: it's University Night. A number of student groups, ranging from Sigma Chi to the Arts Student Union, are involved in providing free buses from campus and home again for the occasion; the Kiwanis Club of Kitchener-Waterloo is also a sponsor. Tickets are $10 at a booth in the Student Life Centre.
St. Paul's United College is bringing in Rev. Stan McKay, aboriginal educator and former moderator of the United Church of Canada, today and tomorrow. His first public event is a talk for Canadian Studies 370 (which is also Native Studies 370), at 7 tonight at St. Paul's.
There are still a few spaces available in some staff training and development sessions in the coming weeks, says Tricia Loveday in the human resources department. In particular: "Managing Multiple Priorities", morning of October 23; "Making Organizational Impact", mornings of November 6, 13, 20 and 27; "Coaching: Bringing Out the Best in Others", morning of December 9. Staff who would like to register can fill out a form in the "Get Up and Grow" brochure that was circulated recently, or Loveday at ext. 2078 can provide more information.
CAR
Editor of the Daily Bulletin: Chris Redmond
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