Shovels in hand, MP Peter Adams, MPP Gary Stewart, Deputy Mayor Paul Ayotte, Board Chair Gary Wolff, Trent President Bonnie Patterson, students, faculty, staff-and even a PCVS Science class-dug in for science and the environment at an official sod-turning event held Friday, November 30th at 12 noon.

In a ceremony officially launching the construction of the Science Facility, individuals representing partners and users of the future building put their shovels into the ground on the site. Along with officials, Trent students and PCVS Science students attended to put some muscle behind what will one day be their Science Facility.

Trent President Bonnie Patterson paid tribute to all the partners present at the event. "I'm thrilled to see the variety of stakeholders here today, symbolically putting their backs into this project," said Patterson. "An undertaking of the magnitude of Trent University's new Science Facility is in every way, shape and form a partnership. First you build the building, next you provide the scientific and technical infrastructure, and along the way, you invest in human infrastructure. It is only with provincial and federal support, the generosity of Trent's friends and donors, and, most importantly, the drive and commitment of the future students we have here today, that our new Science Facility will become a success and a reality."

The target date for completion of the Science Facility is August 2003. The new and renovated buildings will house a Water Quality Centre, new research labs, wet, dry and computational chemistry teaching labs, new lecture halls, teaching space, and additional resource space.

Part of an overall $33.1 million capital expansion at Trent University, the Science Facility is one of several projects that will allow for an additional 1,295 students by 2003.

• Superbuild funding: $14.8 million
• Trent funding through donations and fundraising: $2.5 million
• Federal government dollars go toward scientific and technical infrastructure through CFI: $2.5 million
• In addition, the federally funded Canada Research Chair grants have a total potential for $9.6 million in funding for Trent.
  

• state-of-the-art Water Quality Centre
• DNA Centre
• new research labs
• wet, dry and computational chemistry teaching labs
• new lecture halls, student teaching space and additional resource space
• energy-efficient and accessible incorporating sustainable green technology and strengthening connections to the James McLean Oliver Ecological Centre and the Trent-Severn waterway
• private-public partnership centre