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University of Victoria has announced a combined investment totaling $7 million from the Government of Canada and the university for infrastructure renovation and renewal projects for a new ocean and climate hub.

Also, the Government of Canada and five western universities, led by UVic, are contributing a total of $3 million to enhance facilities at Bamfield Marine Science Centre.

UVic ocean and climate hub

The Queenswood property in Saanich will be upgraded to provide office and research space for UVic’s ocean and climate hub.

The 30,000-sq-ft Queenswood building, will be refurbished for office and research space, including significant seismic upgrades to the main building. UVic Properties is applying to the District of Saanich to modify existing zoning to accommodate the renovations, UVic said.

The first occupant will be UVic’s Ocean Networks Canada (ONC).

“We’re very pleased and grateful for the Government of Canada’s support for the creation of our ocean and climate hub,” said Jamie Cassels, UVic president. “This hub will foster innovative collaborations and enable ONC to build on the success of its world-leading ocean observatories.”

“A dedicated ocean and climate change research space at UVic is unique in Canada,” said Kate Moran, president and CEO of ONC. “The Queenswood location will enhance collaboration and allow for the advancement of research that links the ocean’s crucial role in understanding and adapting to climate change.”

Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre

The Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre (BMSC) has been operating on the west coast of Vancouver Island since 1972 for collaborative international research and education in ocean science and marine life.

The universities of Victoria, Simon Fraser, British Columbia, Alberta and Calgary jointly own and operate BMSC through the Western Canadian Universities Marine Sciences Society.

With the $3 million grant Bamfield’s electrical system and information technology network will be upgraded and improved to provide better reliability, distribution and improvements to back-up systems.

Seawater exchange systems, pumps and animal care and holding facilities will also be refurbished.

“The renovation of infrastructure at the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre will strengthen the facility as the foremost marine and coastal research and training centre on the west coast. Together, these projects enhance UVic’s capacity to build knowledge of the ocean and climate for the benefit of all Canadians,” Jamie Cassels added.

“This funding will make our infrastructure more safe, reliable and efficient. It will allow us to better serve the growing group of researchers that use the Bamfield centre to study BC’s coastal waters,” concluded Brad Anholt, director of BMSC.