June 15, 2001 For Immediate Release

Forest industry executive Peter Bentley joined with other corporate donors, UNBC officials, and new Advanced Education Minister Shirley Bond in performing the sod-turning today for the new Bentley Science Centre at the University of Northern British Columbia's Prince George campus.

The Bentley Science Centre will serve as a link between the University's Agora (connecting building) and the new, $18 million lab expansion. It will be a focal point for displaying scientific research and innovation, while also housing high-tech classrooms and study areas.

Canfor Chairman Peter Bentley has personally contributed $1.2 million to the project. Other donors are the Provincial Government ($600,000), Bank of Montreal ($100,000), and Mitsui & Co (Canada) Ltd ($10,000).

"My vision of the Bentley Science Centre is of a place that will celebrate the sciences and foster thought and discovery," says Mr Bentley. "I hope that its light-filled corridors will be alive with displays of scientific research, innovation, and the application of scientific advances to our everyday experiences." Mr Bentley is an Officer of the Order of Canada and is an honorary member of the Canadian Forestry Association.

"This new facility will serve as a legacy of the substantial positive impact that the Bentley family has made on northern British Columbia," says UNBC President Charles Jago. "Peter Bentley has been one of the University's most ardent and long-standing supporters and his investment will enhance the life of UNBC. Peter's vision has also captured the imagination of the Provincial Government, Bank of Montreal, and Mitsui and I thank them all for making this project possible."

"Bank of Montreal is pleased to continue its partnership with UNBC. Previous donations have gone to an Aboriginal Scholarships Endowment Fund and to the DNA Sequencer," said Gail Cocker, Senior Vice President, BC & Yukon Division, Bank of Montreal. "Today's donation to the Bentley Science Centre, and the naming of the Bank of Montreal Conference Room, shows our commitment to higher learning in BC's north."

"Increasing research funding for our post-secondary institutions is a priority for government," said Advanced Education Minister Shirley Bond. "This new Bentley Science Centre and lab expansion will help UNBC better fulfil its mandate to undertake new research into areas that matter to the people living in northern BC"

The nearly 10,000 square foot Bentley Science Centre has been designed by Chernoff Thompson Architects and will be built as an extension to the Student Services Street. Its construction will coincide with the building of the new lab expansion and has been tendered as part of the Lab expansion. Construction of both the Lab expansion and the Bentley Science Centre is expected to begin within two weeks.

The Canfor Corporation was started as a furniture and panelling veneer company (Pacific Veneer) by Poldi Bentley (Peter's father) and John Prentice in 1938. By 1963, the company expanded in northern BC's interior, beginning with the Fort St John lumber company and PG Pulp and Paper in Prince George (opened: 1965).