For immediate release
SWIFT CURRENT, Saskatchewan, April 9, 2010 – The Government of Canada is improving research capabilities for the agriculture sector which will lead to more innovation in the agriculture sector, more market opportunities for farmers and better health and safety for Canadians. David Anderson, Member of Parliament for Cypress Hills-Grasslands, on behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services, and the Honourable Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board, announced today a contract award totalling over $5 million for a new greenhouse at the Semiarid Prairie Agriculture Research Centre (SPARC) in Swift Current, Saskatchewan. Upgrades to federal laboratories are a key component of Canada's Economic Action Plan. This investment will improve research capabilities for the agriculture sector.
"The Government of Canada recognizes that research is critical to helping the Canadian agriculture sector grow and prosper," said MP Anderson. "Improvements to facilities such as SPARC will allow scientists to conduct research that gives our farmers cutting-edge technology as they deliver safe and high-quality products to Canadians and markets around the world."
"This contract was awarded following an open, fair and transparent competitive processes administered by Public Works and Government Services Canada," said Minister Ambrose. "Projects such as this provide jobs during construction and provide staff with a more efficient and modern work environment."
MP Anderson added that "additional funding will enable SPARC to continue to lead the way in Canadian grains research."
Valued at $5.16 million, the SPARC contract was awarded December 21, 2009, to Graham Design Builders, a Calgary-based company. The work will include a new greenhouse that will enhance the research conducted at the facility. Under the contract terms, upgrades must be complete by March 31, 2011.
Under Canada's Economic Action Plan, the Government of Canada has implemented an accelerated program to invest a total of $12 billion in improvements to federal infrastructure across Canada by 2011, including $250 million for upgrades to federal laboratories.
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For more information, contact:
Chris Hilton
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Rona Ambrose
Minister of Public Works and Government Services
613-697-7324
Email: Chris.Hilton@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca
Media Relations
Public Works and Government Services Canada
819-956-2315
Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
613-773-7972
1-866-345-7972
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This news release is available online at: www.actionplan.gc.ca.
PWGSC news releases are also available on our Internet site at http://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/medias-media/index-eng.html.
Upgrades for the Semiarid Prairie Agriculture Research Centre (SPARC)
(Swift Current, Saskatchewan)
The Semiarid Prairie Agricultural Research Centre (SPARC) is one of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's (AAFC) network of 19 research centres. Located in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, the SPARC hosts a variety of collaborative research efforts conducted by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Health Canada, including the development of new standards for innovative food products and processes specific to semiarid prairie conditions. The Centre also conducts important research into the development of dry-land farming systems that directly support sustainable agriculture on 40 per cent of Canadian farms and rangeland. The current facilities are responsible for the origins of 92 per cent of the durum wheat and nearly 50 per cent of the spring wheat grown in western Canada.
Under this contract, managed by Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC), the SPARC will receive a new 700 m2 greenhouse facility which will allow researchers to more effectively collaborate and perform research and regulatory activities. Feasibility studies determined that a new facility would be more cost effective than maintaining the existing centre; a modernized greenhouse helps ensure the safety of new foods and feed products entering the marketplace.
Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) administered a fair and open competitive process and awarded the contract to perform the work to Graham Design Builders, whose head offices are located in Calgary, Alberta-the SPARC contract will be managed from their branch office in Regina.
Using design build methodology, where design and construction are performed at the same time, will allow for a more efficient approach to building and ensures greater flexibility, responsiveness and timeliness in project delivery.
The SPARC greenhouse construction is expected to be complete by March 31, 2011.
