Sixth floor of Agriculture Building officially opens

Posted November 16, 2000


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ? November 15, 2000 2000-11-09-AG
Sixth floor of agriculture building officially opens

Today, University President Peter MacKinnon and Clay Serby, Minister of
Agriculture, officially opened the sixth floor of the Agriculture Building.

Glenn Hagel, Minister of Post-Secondary Education also took part in the
ceremony.

The expansion, which cost approximately $10 million, will improve and extend
the research and teaching capabilities of the College of Agriculture.

"The new facilities will enable the College of Agriculture to continue its
tradition of excellence in research and training," said MacKinnon. "This
much-needed expansion will create opportunities for new and vital research
that will help the U of S to remain a world leader in agricultural science."

The sixth floor comprises 16 research labs, 30 staff offices, 2 conference
rooms and space for 40 graduate students.

Construction on the 2000 square metre addition was completed this Fall.

The majority of funds for the project were derived from the original
building trust. In addition, about $1.3 million worth of
biotechnology-related equipment on the sixth floor was purchased from a
federally-operated Canada Fund for Innovation grant.

"The sixth floor opening represents the completion of the original building
plans. The new floor has not dramatically altered the appearance of the
building, but it has changed our capability in a very significant way," said
Agriculture Dean Ernie Barber.

"As always, the College of Agriculture has relied upon strong support from
the University, governments, industry and alumni both for the building
project and for the College in general," said Barber.

A new art collection, donated to the University by Saskatoon lawyers and U
of S alumni Henry and Cheryl Kloppenburg, was also unveiled. The collection
contains pieces by several well-known Saskatchewan artists including Joe
Fafard, Wynona Mulcaster and Allen Sapp.


For more information, contact:

Tina Merrifield
Office of Communications
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-2213