B.C. to help build new $89.6M engineering buildings at UVic
Two cutting-edge STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) facilities will soon begin construction at the University of Victoria, with funding from the B.C. government.
The $89.6-million project includes the construction of a six-storey engineering and computer science building, and an adjacent "high bay research and structures lab."
The new engineering and computer science building will include a new laboratory and teaching spaces that can accommodate 500 additional seats, according to the province.
The expansion will lead to 125 more graduates from six engineering programs and UVic's computer science program by 2023, the province announced Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the high bay research and structures lab will include a 12-metre-high (39-foot) facility for large-scale experiments and structural testing. The province says the high ceilings are important for fields like civil engineering, where the extra space is needed for building-science research and material studies.
The high bay research and structures lab will also include industrial equipment such as two 10-tonne gantry cranes, which can be used to move full-size structures for testing.
A rendering of the high bay research and structures lab building at UVic is shown: (Province of B.C. / Flickr)
A rendering of the high bay research and structures lab building at UVic is shown: (Province of B.C. / Flickr)
"Our government and UVic are responding to a clear demand for engineering and computer science programs, allowing people to learn where they live, while also welcoming new people to our community by providing increased capacity in these programs," said Murray Rankin, MLA for Oak Bay-Gordon Head in a release Thursday.
"This expansion will make it easier for people to access the training they need to be successful in their fields and for our community and province to benefit," he said.
The province says that the 500-seat expansion at UVic is part of the government's plan to add 2,900 tech-related seats across B.C. by 2023.
The province adds that the two new buildings are designed to meet a net-zero carbon target and will include green technologies such as solar roofs, heat pumps and rain gardens.
The project is estimated to cost $89.6 million, with the province funding $64.8 million and UVic contributing $24.8 million through a fundraising campaign.
Construction is slated to begin in early 2022 and the buildings are expected open in 2024.
"This new space will accelerate UVic’s research discoveries and attract top-tier international scholars and researchers," said Mina Hoorfar, dean of the UVic Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science in a statement.
"These landmark buildings will provide a dynamic environment for the training of future engineers and computer scientists," she said. "We plan to strengthen Victoria as technology hub by attracting more top talent to UVic and helping position this region as a global centre of excellence."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.