â–ş Listen Live
â–ş Listen Live

Weeks calls new Wood Research Lab a ‘fantastic opportunity’

UNBC President Daniel Weeks is excited about what a new, downtown Wood Research Lab will mean for both the school and the city.

Premier Christy Clark made the $4.5 million investment announcement during her keynote speech at the BC Natural Resources forum on Wednesday. The Provincial government is putting $2.62 million towards the project, and the other 1.88 million is coming from Ottawa.

The facility will be used by students in the master of engineering in integrated wood design program and the BC leadership chair in tall wood and hybrid structures engineering. President Weeks says this building will offer these students a world-class education.

“They can do everything from testing how wood is put together to seismic events to all kinds of things with large scale models. Our students they’re going to get experience that they can’t get anywhere else in the world in using wood to build things, to this point, we’ve never used wood for.”

The one-story, 9,680 square-foot building will be adjacent to the Wood Innovation and Design Centre (WIDC). This space is larger than the one students are currently using, which will allow for things like external research, a wood conditioning and process room, and classroom space.

With a state-of-the-art facility like this, Weeks says this will also attract students from all over the world.

“I was in China visiting the Forestry Research University in China, they’ve heard of our programs so we’re already making a name for ourselves around the world. This is a fantastic opportunity.”

Wednesday’s announcement was a year in the making. Construction will start in the coming months and should be completed by spring 2018.

Something going on in the Prince George area you think people should know about?
Send us a news tip by emailing [email protected].

Photo taken from https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2017PREM0018-000219

Continue Reading

cjci Now playing play

cirx Now playing play

- Advertisement -

Related Articles

- Advertisement -

Latest News

June home sales were hot across the BC Northern Real Estate Board

Northern BC home sales were ahead of their 10-year average in June after 476 unit sales were made according to the BC Real Estate Association. That's a year-over-year spike of 11.7% when compared to the same time last year.

Kids Carnival returning to Huble Homestead this weekend

Huble Homestead is inviting families to its Kids Carnival taking place on Sunday.

More members, but not more meetings for Heritage Commission, City Council decides

Prince George City Council voted on a number of recommendations from the City's Heritage Commission at last night's (Monday) meeting.  During a regular council meeting in March, Prince George Heritage Commission Chair Dr. George Davison outlined many of the issues the Commission has been facing, such as a reduced number of meetings, and a reduction in City staff support. 

B.C’s youth watchdog says more work needs to be done, one year after report on systemic failures

One year after a report by British Columbia's Child and Youth Representative on the horrific death of an Indigenous boy in care, the province is still working on an action plan for systemic changes to children and youth social services.

City Council approves budget to replace damaged garbage truck

Prince George City Council has voted to replace a garbage truck in the city. At last night's (Monday) meeting, City Council approved a budget of $750,000 for the purchase.  According to Director of Civic Operations Blake McIntosh, this will replace a garbage truck damaged in a motor vehicle incident in May last year. 
- Advertisement -