CONSTRUCTION TO BEGIN ON NEXT PHASE OF U OF S ACADEMIC HEALTH SCIENCES CENTRE

Work on the E Wing phase of the University of Saskatchewan's Academic Health Sciences project is now underway. A sod-turning ceremony was held today at the University to announce the contractor selected to construct the project and to mark the beginning of this project that will enable a more integrated and multi-disciplined health care model for Saskatchewan.

"This project will improve public health care in Saskatchewan by helping to train more doctors and health professionals, bolster our strengths in health-related research and provide new opportunities for our health science graduates to build their careers in our province," Advanced Education, Employment and Labour Minister Rob Norris said. "The construction of this multidisciplinary facility enhances the world class life science cluster at the University of Saskatchewan, thereby helping to ensure that Saskatchewan continues to lead the country in key areas of health science research and boost our prosperity today and for the future."

The E Wing will provide much needed space for teaching and learning as well as social population health research. At almost 24,000 square metres, the facility will include a two-story health sciences library, a 500-seat lecture theatre, the Clinical Learning Resource Centre, research labs, academic offices, a pharmacy skills lab, as well as the Canadian Centre for Health and Safety in Agriculture.

"The University of Saskatchewan is pleased to partner with the province on this monumental project and is grateful for its generous support," University of Saskatchewan President Peter MacKinnon said. "The facility is a public investment in the future of the province and is an essential element in the province's approach to health services. The research, teaching and learning practices the facility will accommodate will attract outstanding health specialists to lead discovery of treatments and approaches to contemporary health issues, as well as health practice in our community."

Once complete, the new facility will bring the concept of the health sciences colleges alive, enabling the education of a new generation of health care practitioners with skills in interprofessional health care and health promotion. Together, the Colleges of Nursing, Dentistry, Pharmacy and Nutrition, Medicine, Kinesiology, Veterinary Medicine, and the School of Physical Therapy will be leaders in advancing health, locally and globally.

PCL Construction was awarded the tender for the project and will begin construction on the E Wing facility shortly.

The new Academic Health Sciences is a key element in meeting the Government of Saskatchewan's goal of providing patient-centred health services and research.

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For more information, contact:

Marieka Barrie
Advanced Education, Employment and Labour
Regina
Phone: 306-798-3170
Email: marieka.barrie@gov.sk.ca