For immediate release
ST. ANDREWS, NB, September 5, 2008 - The Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada and Secretary of State (Agriculture), and the Honourable Greg Thompson, Minister of Veterans Affairs, today announced the award of a contract to Fundy Contractors Ltd. for site development at the St. Andrews Biological Station in St. Andrews, New Brunswick.
Through this contract, worth $4,494 ,534 and on behalf of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, work will be carried out on the site in preparation for construction of the new wet laboratory and science buildings. Work will consist of site excavation and backfilling, installation of fresh and salt w ater lines, electrical services, installation of storm and sanitary sewer systems and a pumping station, as well as road construction.
"The St. Andrews Biological Station will be modernized thanks to the awarding of this contract, which repr esents a first step," said Minister Paradis.
Modernization of the St. Andrews Biological Station will see construction of a new 2,900-square metre, secure wet lab facility to house marine life that will consolidate the existing facilities cu rrently spread throughout the Station's campus. The new science building includes a 4,500 square metre space for offices, analytical laboratories, a computer centre, and a library of over 10,000 holdings.
"Our Conservative government is committed to investing in fisheries sciences, research and development," said Minister Thompson. "As the St. Andrews Biological Station celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, this new construction will ensure the Station can continue to p rovide excellence in marine research for decades to come."
Site development is expected to begin immediately and will take approximately seven months to complete. Upon completion, construction of the new facilities will begin, with project co mpletion anticipated by June 2012.
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For more information:
Richard Roik
Director of Communications
Office o f the Minister of Veterans Affairs
613-996-4649
Janice Summerby
Media Relations Advisor
Veterans Affairs Canada
613-992-7468
Janine McCarthy
Communications Officer
Public Works and Government Services Canad a
709-772-5527
PWGSC news releases are also available on our Internet site at http://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/medias-media/index-eng.html
