Government Partnership Supports Cutting-Edge Wastewater Research Centre in Vancouver

Delta, British Columbia, January 12, 2010 – Metro Vancouver is receiving $9 million in funding to build the Annacis Centre of Excellence, in Delta. The Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia are each contributing $3 million towards this project, with remaining funds provided by Metro Vancouver and the University of British Columbia (UBC). This investment will allow British Columbia to become a leader in sustainable wastewater management.

The announcement was made by the Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, the Honourable Bill Bennett, B.C. Minister of Community and Rural Development, and Metro Vancouver Chair Lois Jackson.

“The Annacis Island Centre for Excellence is a great example of how Canada’s Economic Action Plan is working for Canadians. This facility will have long-term benefits for residents of Metro Vancouver by creating an integrated approach to wastewater systems which will help partners respond quickly to treatment challenges,” said Minister Day. “As we enter into the second phase of our Economic Action Plan, we remain committed to implementing infrastructure projects like this one, in order to create jobs so we can build a strong foundation for our economic future.”

“By providing the proper infrastructure to allow British Columbians to set the standard for environmental sustainability, we’re building the framework for future success,” said Minister Bennett. “Innovation is the key to capitalizing on an emerging economy based on green technology.”

The proposed centre will be constructed at the existing site of the Annacis Island Wastewater Treatment Plant in Delta. The plant currently provides secondary treatment to wastewater for over one million residents. In addition to optimizing treatment operations at the plant, the centre will provide laboratory facilities for research, training and equipment demonstrations, and will allow treatment processes to be piloted on-site. This will give partners from various agencies and organizations the opportunity to develop innovative responses to the challenges of sustainability and integrated resource management.

“This generous support ensures the region can now build the first of a planned system of academies. The first one will look for new ways to recover energy, nutrients and other resources from waste water,” Metro Vancouver Chair Lois Jackson said. “The centre, in collaboration with UBC, will pilot innovative technologies, provide educational programming, and help the region achieve its vision of sustainability.”

The building will be designed to meet or exceed a number of provincial government standards, and will include energy- and water-saving systems, low-emission products, natural lighting, and advanced recycling and waste collection.

“The University of British Columbia is delighted to partner with Metro Vancouver on this exciting project,” said UBC President Prof. Stephen Toope.

The federal contribution to the project comes from the $4-billion Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, which provides funding to provincial, territorial and municipal construction-ready infrastructure projects that will be built now and during the 2010 construction season.

The provincial contribution is part of a three-year, $14-billion capital infrastructure program, which will create up to 88,000 jobs and help build vital public infrastructure in every region of B.C. Since October 2008, over $4.4 billion in infrastructure projects have been announced across British Columbia.

Contacts:

Infrastructure Canada
613-948-1148

Public Affairs Bureau
Ministry of Community and Rural Development
250-387-4089

Glenn Bohn,
Communications Specialist,
Office: 604-451-6697
Cell: 604-314-5964
Glenn.Bohn@metrovancouver.org

Scott Macrae
Public Affairs
The University of British  Columbia
Office: 604-822-2064
Cell:  604-764-7508
scott.macrae@ubc.ca