Neufeld Science Centre expansion

Posted by admin on Sep 21, 2010 in News | 0 comments

On August 23rd, construction began on the Neufeld Science Centre Expansion. Although Trinity Western University has cut back on spending in recent months, this project has gone ahead due to the nature of its funding. Half of the money was received from the Knowledge Infrastructure Program, as part of the economic stimulus. Its goal has been to create the infrastructure necessary for researchers to carry out projects. Thus, the money granted to TWU had to be put towards building research facilities, and could not be used for endowment, professor salaries, or subsidizing cafeteria food.

According to Cathy White, assistant to the dean of the Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, the KIP funds—a total of $1.655 million—were granted on the condition that the university matches this amount with non-government funds. In keeping with their goal of restricting spending, TWU has not diverted funds from internal sources, or from regular donors. The most substantial donation, received recently from the Murdock Trust, had been earmarked for research development in small post-secondary institutions. The total of $500,000 was the largest amount given to any Canadian institution by the Murdock Foundation. Further donations have been received, and TWU is attempting to raise another $700,000.
Funding such as this is necessary for research institutions; professors will receive grants from external sources to pay for equipment and materials used in experiments, but the expectation is that the university will provide a baseline salary and a facility to house research projects. As of the summer of 2010, the amount of space in the Neufeld Science Centre that could be committed to experimentation had become a limiting factor for researchers.

The goal set by KIP is for ‘substantial completion’ to be achieved by March 31st, 2011, essentially meaning that TWU will be taking up some degree of occupancy shortly thereafter. Students will most immediately notice that Block Hall has been shut down for the semester; however, the lecture hall will hopefully be reopened for the spring semester. In the long run, the extension will open up more teaching space, as space currently used for research will be converted to nursing labs or will be used for Biology and Chemistry instruction.

Author: Arend Strikwerda