Canada’s New Government has announced a $17 million investment to reconstruct the van Steenburgh science building at the Bedford Institute of Oceanography (BIO) in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.
"With so much public interest in climate change, and the future of our oceans’ ecosystems and fish stocks, the work done by DFO’s scientists is becoming increasingly important to the global community," said the Honourable Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans.
BIO research plays a crucial role in understanding the ocean ecosystem, the ocean’s role in local and global climate, and fish science. "Modern laboratories are essential to ocean research," added Minister Hearn.
Constructed in the early 1960s, the van Steenburgh building is one of oldest original buildings on the BIO campus. Reconstruction is required to modernise the facility. The building houses mixed science laboratories, engineering workshops and research offices. Research conducted from the van Steenburgh building includes physical and chemical oceanography focused on climate change, ice research, ecosystem and biodiversity research, oil and gas environmental research, and ocean instrument development.
The project will involve reconstruction of the entire interior and exterior of the building, except for major structural elements. The building envelope, roof, exterior walls, windows, mechanical and electrical systems will all be replaced. This total upgrade of BIO’s van Steenburgh building will provide an up-to-date facility to support this important research
Construction is scheduled to begin early spring 2007, and is expected to take about three years to complete.
