April 21, 2004 For Immediate Release

Plans to establish a Research and Development Park at UNBC have been officially put on hold by the University.

The original concept was to provide a facility on the Prince George campus that would provide academic space for the university, while accommodating private and public companies that would benefit from a close relationship with the university and its faculty and students. The Axor Group from Montreal and Victoria-based Database File Tech became partners in the project, and a 55,000 ft2 building at the north end of the campus was designed.

When it came time to construct the facility, the partners encountered difficulties in market conditions, which led to a challenging financing environment. These factors have combined to make the project uneconomical at this time.

“Our difficulties with the Research and Development Park have been very disappointing because all of us – the University, our partners, the business community, etc. – understand the value of a development like this for Prince George and the region,” says UNBC Vice-President Research Max Blouw. “Our partners have been flexible and supportive, and UNBC remains committed to the idea of a Research and Development Park that will help build synergies between university researchers and businesses.”

While the Research and Development Park is on hold, the University is proceeding with plans to continue campus expansion. A proposed new teaching and learning building would provide some additional classroom, office, and research space. This building could connect to the campus through the extension to the Teaching Lab (now under construction) and be located next to the Northern Health Sciences Centre. It would also permit the growing library collection to occupy more of the Weller Library building, since many of the classrooms, computer labs, and faculty offices that are currently in the Library building could move to the new facility.

Together with the Northern Sport Centre, the proposed Teaching and Learning Building is a top priority for the University, and facility planning is continuing with the Ministry of Advanced Education.