February 10, 2006 Source: Malaspina University College:
http://www.mala.ca/releases/release.asp?ID=847 Centre for Shellfish Research gets seven acre boost A seven acre waterfront property donation will be transformed into a world-class shellfish research and training farm for the Malaspina University-College Centre for Shellfish Research (CSR). The Deep Bay Ownership Group officially handed over the deed for the Deep Bay property to Malaspina February 10. "Malaspina is sincerely grateful for this kind of donation," said Malaspina President Rich Johnston. "Not only will the field site support the growth of the BC shellfish aquaculture industry, but it will be a facility Malaspina and the local community will be proud to be associated with." Upon completion, the field site – situated adjacent to a major shellfish growing area - will provide infrastructure that is unparalleled in Canada and on the west coast of the United States. The site will include a field laboratory, an upland tank farm, small hatchery and workshop. Students, faculty and scientists will be able to test their lab research in the environment for proof-of-concept application and commercialization. The field site will also be used for training, technology development and public education. "Thanks to the generosity of the Deep Bay Ownership Group, along with funding from Canada Foundation for Innovation and the BC Knowledge Development Fund, we can move forward with building the next critical component of the Centre for Shellfish Research," said Don Tillapaugh, CSR director. "We’re also excited about being a part of the Deep Bay Community," said Tillapaugh. "We have started a dialogue with community members but we want to continue discussions to answer their questions and get their input." Construction is planned to begin later this spring. -30- For more information contact: Toni O'Keeffe, Director of Media Relations & Marketing. Phone (250) 740-6341; FAX (250) 740-6474; E-mail okeeffet@mala.bc.ca
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