Contract Awarded For Construction Of Northern Health Sciences Centre
July 10, 2003 For Immediate
Release
PRINCE GEORGE - The province's northern
medical school is a step closer to completion today as construction
was launched on the new $12-million health sciences centre at the University
of Northern B.C. said Advanced Education Minister Shirley Bond.
"The new northern health sciences centre is part of our program
to almost double the number of medical school graduates in B.C. - a commitment
to northern British Columbians that Premier Campbell has ensured is a
top priority for our government," Bond said. "The new medical
school at UNBC is a major part of our New Era commitments to renew northern
health care and expand our supply of health professionals."
Bond also announced that the $9.5-million building contract has been
awarded to Wayne Watson Construction of Prince George.
The government announced its $134-million Life Sciences Initiative in
March 2002 to increase the number of first-year medical school spaces
in B.C. from 128 to 224 by 2005, including 24 new spaces at UNBC. The
program includes a new Life Sciences Centre at the University of B.C.,
which is currently under construction, and satellite campuses at UNBC
and the University of Victoria. Construction at UVic is expected to start
this month as well.
This new, collaborative approach to medical training will allow students
to take the first semester at UBC, then complete the program at UNBC and
receive their medical degree from UBC. UNBC students will also serve their
residency requirements in northern communities.
"Not only are we starting on the construction of our new northern
health sciences centre, but I'm pleased to join UBC and UVic in announcing
that we are now inviting prospective medical students to apply for our
first class in 2004," said UNBC President Charles Jago. "All
of us at UNBC - as well as the many communities around northern B.C. -
are looking forward to welcoming the first medical students who will study
in the North as part of B.C.'s expanded medical school."
"Bringing medical training to UNBC not only provides opportunities
for students to study close to home, but is one more way that we're meeting
the needs of patients in northern and rural communities by recruiting
and retaining doctors," said Prince George North MLA Pat Bell.
The 4,000-square-metre health sciences centre will house the northern
medical program and include labs, classrooms, small seminar rooms and
a student common area. The centre will also showcase the use of wood in
construction and be built next to the new laboratory addition. The new
building will be ready by the fall of 2004