Grenfell Campus will call for tenders for an expansion planned to strengthen research and development capacity.

Building on current research and programming and aligning with future development of the institution, Grenfell Campus will establish an environmental laboratory facility. The environmental lab initiative is a critical component of capacity building in environmental sciences and the development of graduate programs at Grenfell. The initiative is supported by the provincial government through sustainable long-term funding as part of Grenfell’s core budget.

The 9,500-square-foot facility will contain three interconnected laboratories to allow for preparation, extraction and analytical capacity. The new environmental laboratory will house state-of-the-art equipment allowing researchers at Grenfell and collaborators throughout the province and elsewhere to address environmental issues. The initial focus will be on soils and water research in support of resource sectors such as agricultural and forestry. Such capacity provides the means to enhance research in areas such as climate change, land-use planning and related resource-based development.

The proposed facility at Grenfell is unique in design and will span University Drive serving as laboratory space as well as a functional pedway to the east side of the campus.

The tender call will close April 17, 2012.