The University of Northern British Columbia and the Ministry of Advanced Education have awarded a $4.9 million contract to Wayne Watson Construction of Prince George to undertake construction of an extension to the teaching laboratory at UNBC's Prince George campus.

With the awarding of the contract, construction is set to begin on the 2,366 square metre (25,500 square foot) laboratory addition that will be built onto the north end of the teaching lab. The extension will include classrooms and computer labs to accommodate overall student enrolment increases, as well as for new student spaces in the Computer Science program. It's expected that the building will be ready in the summer, 2004.

It's expected that the workforce on site will average 40 people per day, peaking at about 80 per day.

"Expanding UNBC's lab capacity is just one of many things this government is doing to create a top-notch educational system in British Columbia and increase opportunities for students," said Shirley Bond, Minister of Advanced Education and MLA for Prince George - Mount Robson. "I am also extremely happy that the construction of this facility will create jobs and stimulate our local economy."

Wayne Watson Construction completed the site preparation work for the lab extension and is also currently building the Northern Health Science Centres (NHSC) at UNBC. The 4,000 square metre NHSC will house the Northern Medical Program and is also due to open next summer.