(Photo: The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc along with Ginette Petitpas Taylor, MP for Moncton—Riverview—Dieppe, unveil the artist rendering of the future Atlantic Science Enterprise Centre.) Courtesy of Government of Canada
The next step towards what is being called a world class scientific facility was announced today in Moncton.
Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs Dominic Leblanc says a $23.6 million contract for design services has been awarded to Diamond Schmitt Architects.
A $5.8 million contract goes to Pomerleau for the construction of the Atlantic Science Enterprise Centre, and that is expected to grow to just over 300 million, “They can begin to collaborate on the design and construction planning that will be necessary for this project.”
Both contracts include Indigenous Participation Plans that will see over $60 million flowing through to Indigenous businesses and communities in New Brunswick.
Leblanc says the redevelopment of this centre, that is located across from the Georges Dumont Hospital, will create at least 200 jobs over seven years.
He adds, “The Atlantic Science Enterprise Centre will make the Greater Moncton area a hub for research into Atlantic freshwater and coastal ecosystems. It will also create high-quality jobs for our university graduates, who will be able to take part in meaningful, immersive research that will enable us to protect our oceans, lakes, rivers and aquatic species for future generations.”
When it opens in 2030, there will be more than that, “Once completed, there will be 700-750 people working here,” Leblanc says.
The Atlantic Science Enterprise Centre will bring together federal scientists working to protect and sustain Atlantic freshwater and coastal ecosystems and will house scientists from Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the National Research Council of Canada. The Canadian Space Agency will also be a virtual partner.
The construction work is anticipated to begin in 2022 with site preparation and more extensive work beginning in 2023. All project phases are expected to be finalised by 2030. In Atlantic Canada, this is the largest federal financial investment since the construction of the Confederation Bridge.
