A commitment to sustainability and renewal means students using the University of British Columbia's Biological Sciences Complex can be assured their surroundings feature not only cutting-edge technology, but also meet high standards of energy efficiency.

The 50-year-old buildings of the BioScience Complex were refurbished during phase two of UBC Renew, the university's highly successful multi-stage plan to renovate and refurbish - rather than demolish and rebuild - aging buildings on its Vancouver campus.

The Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology), and Honourable Naomi Yamamoto, Minister of Advanced Education and MLA for North Vancouver-Lonsdale, were joined by UBC executive, faculty, staff and students to officially re-open the complex.

The renovation focused on a number of key sustainability features: bringing sunlight deep into the buildings as a natural light source; installing energy-saving heating and cooling systems; implementing an exterior water management system for irrigation and flood control; and using B.C. wood products inside the building to create a warm work and learning environment.

UBC received $61.8 million for the renewal project through the Knowledge Infrastructure Program. This includes more than $30.9 million each from the provincial and federal governments as part of the federal government's $2-billion plan to repair and expand research and educational facilities at Canadian post-secondary institutions.

The Knowledge Infrastructure Program is a joint federal-provincial investment designed to renew infrastructure at post-secondary institutions across B.C. while also providing local jobs for communities. It was among 39 projects at post-secondary institutions throughout the province to receive funding from the Knowledge Infrastructure Program.

Quick facts:

• During construction, the BioSciences Renew project created 1,460 full-time direct and indirect jobs in the local design, construction and manufacturing sector and 1,946 Canada-wide.
• Renewing rather than demolishing the complex saved $49 million in new construction costs, prevented the emission of 2,400 tonnes of greenhouse gases and diverted 836 tonnes of construction waste from landfill.
• Greenhouse gas emission reduction is expected to be equivalent to 593 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year.
• The BioSciences complex is a hub of activity for 370 researchers and includes classroom and lab space used by more than 2,200 undergraduate students a year.

Learn more:

University of British Columbia: http://www.ubc.ca/

UBC sustainability: http://www.sustain.ubc.ca/

Knowledge Infrastructure Program: http://ic.gc.ca/knowledge-infrastructure

Contacts:

Joanne Whittier
Communications Manager
Ministry of Advanced Education
250 952-6400
250 893-5650 (cell)

Gary Toft
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Gary Goodyear
Minister of State (Science and Technology)
613 943-7599

Brian Lin
Acting Associate Director
UBC Public Affairs
604 822-2064 (Office)
604 818-5685 (Cell)

BACKGROUNDER

Aug. 29, 2011 Ministry of Advanced Education

Industry Canada

Knowledge Infrastructure Program

The Knowledge Infrastructure Program is helping to provide economic stimulus and promote employment by creating jobs for engineers, architects, tradespeople and technicians. In B.C. the federal government is providing up to 50 per cent of the cost of selected projects on a cost-share basis with the Province.

The total investment in these projects is over $520 million, including contributions from institutions. The projects are also part of an overall $14-billion capital infrastructure program supported by the Province to create jobs and vital public infrastructure in every region of B.C.

Canada's Economic Action Plan set out to stimulate the Canadian economy and to improve our long-term competitiveness through $12 billion in new infrastructure investment, which includes the $2-billion Knowledge Infrastructure Program.

Contacts:

Joanne Whittier
Communications Manager
Ministry of Advanced Education
250 952-6400
250 893-5650 (cell)

Gary Toft
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Gary Goodyear
Minister of State (Science and Technology)
613 943-7599

Brian Lin
Acting Associate Director
UBC Public Affairs
604 822-2064 (Office)
604 818-5685 (Cell)