|
DFO’S
PACIFIC BIOLOGICAL STATION INVESTS $5 MILLION FOR
NEW CHILLER PLANT
Nanaimo, BC – The Honorable Geoff Regan, Minister of
Fisheries and Oceans (DFO),
announced today plans to construct a new $ 5 million central
chiller plant and freezer storage building for its Pacific
Biological Station (PBS) in Nanaimo. The Station is the
principal centre for DFO biological fisheries research on the
Pacific Coast.
"Investing in our Science facilities and equipment to keep pace
with rapidly changing technology and scientific standards is key
to ensuring that by 2010, Canada will rank among the top five
countries worldwide in scientific research and development,"
said Minister Regan.
PBS research programs require filtered temperature-controlled
salt and fresh water for use in experiments with live animals,
as well as refrigerated storage for biological samples. Existing
freezer storage is provided by more than 100 units that are
obsolete, high in maintenance costs and cause concern to
research programs due to their unreliability. The new chiller
plant and freezer will be more cost-effective, environmentally
sound, and energy efficient, and is expected to be
up-and-running by spring 2006.
Current PBS research includes work on aquaculture, fish health,
stock assessment, ocean productivity, and marine environment and
habitat. PBS is also host to many co-operative ventures with the
private sector, universities and international organizations.
The total cost of the new chiller plant and freezer is
approximately $5 million, to be spent over a two-year period.
This includes costs for decommissioning of the existing system,
providing better seismic safety for the site, and replacing old
water, sewer and fire lines.
The new chiller plant and freezer building will provide the
Department with an annual operating and maintenance savings of
$62,000 and will be instrumental in delivering future research
projects. The project is required to ensure dependable
temperature controlled salt and fresh water for biological
experiments and upgrade the facility’s freezer storage
capability.
- 30 -
For further information:
Lara Sloan
Communications Officer
Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pacific
Region
604-666-0903
|
