May 19, 1999 For Immediate Release

The University of Northern British Columbia has received five bids from local construction companies to build the new Enhanced Forestry Laboratory on the Prince George campus. The bids ranged in value from $951,230 to $835,670 with Wayne Watson Construction Ltd submitting the low bid.

The awarding of the contract will be announced at a May 25th public event in the Northwood Winter Garden. The event will illustrate the impact of UNBC research on forest management in the North, and include the sod-turning for the new lab. The event will begin at 9am on May 25th with presentations by a number of leading BC forestry officials. There will also be demonstrations of UNBC research in resource management.

The state-of-the-art Enhanced Forestry Lab will be approximately 7200 square feet and consist of four separate compartments for the individual control of variables such as heat and light. It's expected that the Lab will be ready for use by mid-winter. Construction is being funded by Slocan Forest Products, Forest Renewal BC, and the Canada Foundation for Innovation.