NEW ACADEMIC HEALTH SCIENCES CENTRE FOR SASKATCHEWAN

Released on September 23, 2003

Premier Lorne Calvert announced today that a new Academic Health Sciences facility will be built at the University of Saskatchewan, ensuring high quality health care into the future.

The announcement was the highlight of an address Premier Calvert gave to a group of provincial health science stakeholders in Saskatoon. The Premier outlined the government's vision for health care in the province and talked about the importance of health sciences education and research in building a strong health care system.

"The new facility is an important step in strengthening the health sciences sector. Yet, this is significantly more than a building announcement," Premier Calvert said. "This new building exemplifies our vision of health care in the future, integrated and multi-disciplined, with a focus on improving the health of people in Saskatchewan. It follows from our Action Plan for Saskatchewan Health Care and it fits within the vision laid out in the Romanow report. This government is committed to seeing this building built, as we are committed to ensuring the future of a quality health care system in Saskatchewan, one that is publicly funded and publicly administered."

"We are extremely pleased with the government's commitment to fund a new health sciences building that will enhance the recruitment of faculty, expand research, increase educational resources, and extend our medical and nursing programs into the community," University of Saskatchewan President Peter MacKinnon said.

Premier Calvert made it clear in his remarks that this new building project has the government's unwavering support. The government recognizes the role of the University of Saskatchewan as the leading provincial resource for health sciences teaching, research and patient centered health services in Saskatchewan and is committed to seeing the new Academic Health Sciences Centre become a reality.

The new building will provide integrated health science teaching centres and offer enhanced library space, and state-of-the-art laboratories once completed. Based on the work done to date, estimates are that the first phase of the new facility will require $120 million to complete.

The University, in connection with the Saskatchewan Academic Health Sciences Network, began exploring options for the new facility in June 2002 when the government provided funding for the initial planning phase. Today's commitment will allow the University to move quickly into the design and construction phase following completion of the initial planning. The government will continue to work with the University of Saskatchewan in developing the final size and scope of the building.

Researchers at the College of Medicine already receive $15 million annually in funding, providing important economic activity for Saskatoon and the province. Increased research activity is anticipated once the advanced facilities are available.

"Together with the Canadian Light Source Synchrotron and Innovation Place, the University is continuing to demonstrate its position as a world leader in research and innovation," Calvert said.

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For More Information, Contact:

Rob Cunningham Executive Council Regina Phone: (306)787-6349 Cell: (306)539-1126

Peter MacKinnon University of Saskatchewan Saskatoon Phone: (306)966-6612