The Health Sciences Research Community Celebrates
the Grand Opening of ICR Discoveries
March 26, 2009
Northwestern
Ontario’s first collaborative health sciences research
facility is now officially open in Thunder Bay. A complex
renovation project which began in 2006 is now complete
and the new occupants are moving in.
Members of Northwestern Ontario’s
science and research community joined government representatives
and industry partners in celebrating the grand opening
of the ICR (Institute for Collaborative Research) Discoveries
building at 290 Munro Street in Thunder Bay.
With 52,000 sq. ft. of research space, the
former regional cancer centre is now home to a collaborative
research environment which will encourage a sharing of
ideas and knowledge translation between scientists and
University faculty, providing an added boost to Thunder
Bay’s life sciences economy. The $10.4 million transformation
project was funded through a variety of sources including
grants from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation,
FedNor and Industry Canada, and from the City of Thunder
Bay.
Almost every square inch of the facility
was renovated, with a separate physical plant added to
heat and power the building. Ultra-modern benchwork for
basic science and prototype development was added to accommodate
the growing number of scientists working in the community.
In addition, and through a $250,000 grant from Cancer
Care Ontario, a video conference system was installed
to allow the science professionals at ICR Discoveries
to connect with colleagues at the Thunder Bay Regional
Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC), the Northern Ontario
School of Medicine, and Lakehead University and in locations
around the world.
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“This state-of-the art health sciences
research facility is home to Northwestern Ontario’s
first and only pre-clinical research operation
and an important piece of our life sciences research
puzzle. For the Thunder Bay Regional Research
Institute (TBRRI), this is where the research
process begins: where ideas will be formed and
tested and new molecular imaging technologies
developed. The collaborative environment encourages
scientists to discuss new ideas and work together
on research that will change the way we provide
healthcare at the TBRHSC and beyond,” said
Michael Power, CEO of the TBRRI.
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Ron Saddington, President
and CEO of TBRHSC, said the impact of the work done
at ICR Discoveries will be significant to patient
care in Northwestern Ontario. “As an academic
health sciences centre, to be able to translate
research into patient care quickly puts us in an
enviable position. The application of research,
in a teaching environment, is prized. It truly will
be ‘bench to bedside’ care.” |
Fourty-four construction related jobs were
created during three construction phases over the past
three years, an example of how a growing life sciences
community has broad reach in Thunder Bay’s economy.
“Thunder Bay has been anxiously awaiting this day,”
said Mayor Lynn Peterson. “When City Council invested
$5 million towards this initiative it was with the belief
that research and innovation are our strongest opportunities
to diversify the economy. Today’s opening confirms
that we were not only on the right track; we are on the
fast track. ICR Discoveries is a prime example of the
unique opportunities that will allow Thunder Bay to become
known on a global level, as a centre for excellence in
research and innovation. The impact of this centre on
our community cannot be overstated.”
The building houses four life sciences research
companies and research institutes. More than 200 research
professionals will call the facility home over the coming
years. To date, some 50 research professionals are now working
in the facility for the following organizations:
- Canada’s newest molecular imaging and
advanced diagnostics research institute, the TBRRI,
occupies more than one third of the space with
preclinical molecular imaging and biomarker research
labs. The TBRRI will be moving basic science and
prototype development scientists and technicians
into the facility over the next 24 months.
- Lakehead University houses a shared preclinical
vivarium and a Cardiovascular Research Lab at
ICR Discoveries.
- Genesis Genomics Inc. is a world leader and
pioneer in the research, discovery, development
and commercial application of mitochondrial DNA
("mtDNA") based biomarkers for a wide
spectrum of human diseases.
- The Lake Superior Centre for Regenerative Medicine,
Inc. (RegenMed) is a new not-for-profit charitable
organization with a vision to greatly increase
human tissue donation and supply in Northern Ontario.
Their goal is to be one of Canada’s leading
state-of-the-art tissue processing centres for
products to be used in reconstructive surgical
procedures, and to create a biomedical research
facility focused on regenerative therapies.
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The TBRHSC, TBRRI and partners would like
to thank and congratulate Manshield, Kuch Stephenson Gibson
Malo, DRD Construction, Cuthbertson and AG Engineering for
excellent work during the construction of ICR Discoveries.
