UPEI holds information session about new Canadian Centre for Climate Change and Adaptation
Members of the public learned more about the new UPEI Canadian Centre for Climate Change and Adaptation during an event at St. Peter’s Bay on Friday, February 14.
Hosting the information session were the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Veterans Affairs and MP for Cardigan; Sidney MacEwen, MLA for Morell-Donagh, representing the Premier of Prince Edward Island; Dr. Alaa Abd-El-Aziz, UPEI President and Vice-Chancellor; and Dr. Adam Fenech, Associate Dean of the UPEI School of Climate Change and Adaptation. Among the special guests attending were the Honourable Brad Trivers, Minister of Education and Lifelong Learning and Minister of Environment, Water and Climate Change; Member of Parliament Wayne Easter; Senators Diane Griffin and Percy Downe; Dr. Judy Clark, Elder-in-Residence at UPEI; Chief Darlene Bernard, Lennox Island First Nation; Karen Jans, Field Superintendent-PEI, Parks Canada; and Douglas Coles, president of Coles Associates Ltd.
On display were space-fit study and concept drawings created by Coles Associates Ltd., illustrating spaces and functional areas that will be incorporated into the functional plan for the new facility. Those attending the event had the opportunity to ask representatives of both the University and Coles Associates questions about the facility, next steps in the construction process, and to provide their feedback. The largest privately owned drone, one of 14 drones in UPEI’s fleet, was also on display.
Once feedback has been received, said President Abd-El-Aziz, architectural drawings and designs will be developed. The construction will be put out to tender, with the goal of breaking ground this spring. The facility is expected to be completed in late 2021.
UPEI’s Canadian Centre for Climate Change and Adaptation was announced in St. Peter’s Bay on July 5, 2019, by Minister MacAulay, Premier Dennis King, and President Abd-El-Aziz.
The 45,000-square-foot facility will house research centres of excellence, the UPEI School of Climate Change and Adaptation, and the UPEI Climate Lab. It will include research, innovation, and collaboration space; a residence for senior students and visiting faculty; storage and repair space for equipment and UPEI’s fleet of drones; and common areas designed to encourage interaction and integration of the research focus areas.
“It is so wonderful to be back to the community of St. Peter’s Bay,” said President Abd-El-Aziz, “and I know I will be making many more trips as we move through the process of building the Canadian Centre for Climate Change and Adaptation.”
President Abd-El-Aziz thanked the governments of Canada and Prince Edward Island for their support of the Centre.
