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Kick-Off Event Celebrates Beginning of Construction of the New DNA Building at Trent |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday, August 31, 2005 (Peterborough) Faculty, students and staff from Trent University joined with representatives of three levels of government today to celebrate the beginning of the construction of Trent's new DNA Building. The first module in phase one of the project will provide a new home for faculty from the Biology and Trent-Fleming DNA Forensics programs. Also housed in the building will be additional faculty from Anthropology and Nursing, researchers with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources currently working at the Trent campus and staff from the Peterborough Region DNA Cluster office. The DNA Building is a state-of-the-art teaching and research facility that is interdisciplinary in focus. The first building module is part of a longer-term vision that will see a regional research and technology park anchored on Trent University's endowment lands. The facility will include new wet and dry lab spaces, classrooms and faculty offices. Phase one consists of two blocks (A & B) with a second floor above block B. These two blocks are approximately 57,900 square feet. Approximately 50 per cent of the building will comprise wet and dry laboratories with a strong emphasis on shared research space. Two teaching classrooms will be constructed along with offices to house Trent researchers. The second floor will be occupied by the OMNR. In the 2004-05 fiscal year, over 800 Trent University employees and approximately 7,800 students contributed $261M to the local economy. When construction of the DNA Building is finalized in 2005-06, the DNA cluster project will contribute approximately $39M to the local economy, bringing Trent's economic contribution to Peterborough and surrounding areas to $300M. Bonnie Patterson, President and Vice-Chancellor, said, "The DNA Cluster project is the ultimate example of an ideal partnership combining the best knowledge, expertise, and collaborative efforts from the public and private sectors throughout the region." Jeff Leal, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Economic Development and Trade, noted, "The DNA Cluster is part of a new frontier which will ensure Peterborough's future economic growth." Bill Juby, Deputy Mayor, emphasized, "This is a great, win-win partnership. The City of Peterborough is pleased to participate with Trent University on this endeavour that will benefit our community immensely." Paul Wilson, Chair of the DNA Wildlife Forensics Program and Associate Professor, said, "Housing the Trent-Fleming Forensic Degree Program within this research environment will expose the students to state-of-the-art protocols, facilities and equipment on par with the leading forensic laboratories and in excess of many other private and public sector operations. "It is the integrated curriculum of the forensic program and the exposure to cutting edge facilities and research that will prepare our students for a wide range of employment opportunities. Opportunities that require the scientific foundation, applied skill level and training in ethics and quality assurance our graduates will possess." For more information on the DNA Building, please visit www.trentu.ca/dnacluster. - 30 - For more information, contact Don Cumming, Senior Director, Public Affairs at 705-748-1011, ext. 1224.
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