The Atlantic Veterinary College's infrastructure expansion project continues to charge forward with incredible results. These infrastructure improvements support the College's mission of excellence and innovation in education, research and service delivery. Together we are moving forward and are greatly excited by the future of veterinary medicine at AVC.
Cost: $45 million
Funding: Approximately $18 million in infrastructure funding provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Additional funding provided by the Province of Prince Edward Island, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, the Canada Foundation for Innovation, and private donors.
Infrastructure Project: Three phases of expansion and renovation that will increase the Atlantic Veterinary College's footprint by one-third from its original 250,000 square feet. Approximately 84,000 square feet of new space will be added and 48,000 square feet will be renovated.
Phase 1: Construction of $20 million, 57,000 square foot Research Complex. Provides 12,000 square feet of additional lab space and room for an additional 30 graduate students. Home to centres of expertise such as the Atlantic Centre for Bioactive Valuation, the Atlantic Centre for Comparative Biomedical Research, and the AVC Lobster Science Centre. Status: Completed and opened in June 2008.
Phase 2: Expansion and renovation of the Atlantic Veterinary College's Veterinary Teaching Hospital and Diagnostic Services laboratories, including: construction and renovation of surgery suites, ICU, isolation unit, family consultation room, dentistry and endoscopic procedure rooms, wet lab, radiography suite, student locker rooms, North Barn and bovine unloadings, electron microscopy, and shipping and receiving. Phase 2 also included renovation of administrative offices. Status: Completed in September 2008.
Infrastructure Expansion, Phase 3, Completion - Fall 2009
Phase 3: A 21,334 square foot (1,982 square metre) addition on the side of the building will include expansion of the aquatic area on Level 1, as well as new flexible holding areas which will enable AVC researchers to further their aquatic species health research capacity and remain at the forefront of aquatic veterinary sciences.
Level 2 of this new addition will be a Student Learning Commons, providing students with increased resources such as small-group teaching rooms, increased computer facilities, large flexible classrooms, and a student commons. Status: In progress with estimated completion date of October 2009.
AVC’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital continues to propel itself forward in improved and expanded service delivery.
A newly expanded Intensive Care Unit (ICU) boasts three times the space, large dog runs, a Quiet Room, larger working area, and a trauma table.
In addition to ICU improvements, the Veterinary Teaching Hospital is able to offer a higher level of service delivery through enhanced on-the-road diagnostic capabilities for its ambulatory equine service, state-of-the-art anesthetic monitoring equipment, a new digital radiographic suite, new chiropractic services, and expanded theriogenology services.
To find out more about these services, contact the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at 902-566-0950.
Dr. Don Reynolds, AVC Dean; DVM students Chris McLaughlin and Joshua Smith; and Dr. Lisa Miller, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs unveiled plans for the AVC Student Learning Commons at the Fall Awards and Recognition Night, October 1, 2008. The Student Learning Commons is currently under construction with scheduled completion for Fall 2009.
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In June 2008, the Atlantic Veterinary College at the University of Prince Edward Island officially opened its state-of-the-art $20 million Research Complex.Within the 57,000 square foot (5,300 square meters) research facility, researchers from the Atlantic Veterinary College will further health and wellness research related to both animals and humans.
"This Government knows investments in science and innovation are critical to the long-term prosperity of all Canadians,” said the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. "The Atlantic Veterinary College Research Complex will bring new opportunities for traditional industries such as agriculture and fisheries, as well as for the emerging sectors of food technology and bioscience. This will create jobs right here on the island and the work accomplished at the Complex will establish Prince Edward Island as a clear leader in the field of research and development.”
The development of the Atlantic Veterinary College’s new research facility is part of an overall $45 million infrastructure project driven by a dramatic increase in demand for the College’s research and service expertise. Approximately $18 million in infrastructure funding was provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Additional funding for the Atlantic Veterinary College’s infrastructure project was provided by the Government of Prince Edward Island, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, the Canada Foundation for Innovation, and private partners.
Research carried out by the Atlantic Veterinary College provides critical contributions to many sectors including agriculture, food safety, public health, aquaculture and aquatic health, companion animals, animal welfare, and population health.
"I am confident that the Atlantic Veterinary College, UPEI, and the entire province will reap significant rewards from this important investment," said the Honourable Robert Ghiz, Premier of Prince Edward Island. "This Research Complex will not only provide new opportunities for research and innovation in a variety of fields important to our local economy, it will serve to enhance the well-established reputation of the AVC and attract more students to the province. Our government is pleased to be a partner in this exciting expansion.”
The new research facility will house a number of the Atlantic Veterinary College’s specialized research centres including the Atlantic Centre for Bioactive Valuation, the Atlantic Centre for Comparative Biomedical Research, and the Atlantic Veterinary College’s Lobster Science Centre. The research complex will provide an additional 12,000 square feet (1,100 square meters) of research labs and space for an additional 30 graduate students. It will also include a Specific Pathogen Free holding facility-a $3 million research space built to the specifications of a Level 3 containment facility.
“Today’s opening propels the Atlantic Veterinary College and the entire Atlantic region forward in our ability to contribute to advances in animal health, human health, and comparative biomedical research,” said Dr. Tim Ogilvie, Dean of the Atlantic Veterinary College. “We have the talent and the expertise to make significant contributions to society. We applaud our partners in recognizing our enormous potential and investing in the infrastructure needed to support our commitment to discovery and innovation.”
AVC has been given the go ahead to proceed with Phase 3 of its construction and renovation project. Phase 3 includes an expansion to the Aquatic Animal Facility and the development of a Student Learning Commons within AVC. Upon completion of Phase 3, AVC will have invested approximately $45 million in expansion and renovations.
The ability to move forward on the expansion of the Aquatic Animal Facility by 8,200 square feet is cause for excitement. AVC is known around the world as the “fish vet school” for its expertise in aquatic health. This expansion will enable our researchers to further their aquatic health research capacity and remain at the forefront of aquatic sciences.
At AVC we are committed to excellence in education and remain focused on providing our students with an education and quality experiences that are second to none. The Student Learning Commons will play a key role in facilitating an environment in which we can further challenge and excite our students, encourage a higher level of communication, and prepare students to become lifelong learners and leaders in their profession and communities.
