Will Trent Lose Millions of Dollars in Government Grants?
In the fall of 2004 Bonnie Patterson told the board of governors that millions of dollars in public grant money would be lost if the DNA cluster buildings were not up and running by December 2005. Just yesterday Trent announced the beginning of construction, with opening scheduled for May or June of 2006. Was there a public statement by Trent of deadline extensions from CFI and other granting bodies? Was the public informed of the reasons for delays and what was being done to rectify these? Was any grant money lost? Is this another example of secrecy and lack of transparency that has, according to some, come to characterize governance and management of Trent?
Trent's August 31, 2005 press release states the DNA cluster will inject $39 million into the local economy. Although Trent president Bonnie Patterson says "The DNA Cluster project is the ultimate example of an ideal partnership combining the best knowledge, expertise, and collaborative efforts from the public and private sectors throughout the region.", to our knowledge Trent has yet to make public one independently verifiable detail to support the contention that the cluster will contribute anything to the local economy, or that any private company or investor exists. All we have is rumours.
We at OurTrent would like to give Trent and Patterson the opportunity to dispel rumours through open disclosure of facts, as suggested in a letter to the Peterborough Examiner back in February 2005:
Tell us which private investors have invested what amounts. Show us how the plan is not contingent on the MNR moving to cluster space at higher rates than they pay now, or for a lease term that exceeds Ministry guidelines. Explain how the project is not dependent on an allegedly vulnerable rabies-related grant stream that may dry up under competing health care and education pressures for government dollars. Demonstrate how the project will create a revenue stream and help alleviate Trent's multi-million dollar debt. Show how you will assure this new revenue will contribute to the quality of a Trent education and how corporate interests will not interfere with the university's academic mission. Dispel rumours by disclosing cold, hard, verifiable facts. If the facts hold up to public scrutiny, enthusiastic support will naturally follow.
Trent says DNA cluster to be built by December 2005 or millions in grant money lost
|
| First DNA building to be up next year Peterborough Examiner – September 1, 2005 By Roger LeBlanc Dozens gathered yesterday to celebrate the beginning of construction for Trent’s estimated $19-million DNA building, which should be standing next summer. “We’ve spent a lot of time over the past several months looking at drawings. Now this is real,” said forensic science department chairman Paul Wilson alongside politicians, Trent University and Fleming College staff as well as business and community leaders. Some of the funding for the east bank building includes: $2 million from the city, $3.7 million each from the federal and provincial innovation funds and $1.3 million from the Ontario Small Town and Rural Development initiative. Trent president Bonnie Patterson unveiled artist renderings and details of the teaching and research facility, to be located behind the Otonabee College residences. Right now, there’s only dirt and the beginnings of foundation. But by May or early June, there should be two blocks – covering about 57,900 square feet – with a second floor above one of them. The primary occupants will be Trent researchers associated with DNA/forensic research and teaching, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and the Greater Peterborough Region DNA Cluster Corp. John Wordley, Trent’s physical resources directory, said in time, another two modules will be built next to this building. Wilson told the crowd of about 75 that he came to Trent in 1997 from McMaster University to set up a wildlife DNA lab in collaboration with the Ministry of Natural Resources. Before he moved in, his lab was in a storage room. “It’s amazing to see where we’ve gone," he said laughing. After a relatively short time, ground is being broken for a multi-million dollar facility, he said. “This will spark activity. I was the only one in here in ’97 which isn’t a lot of time,” he said. “We’ve seen it go from a single-room lab to the multi-million dollar construction of a building. I can’t anticipate not being in that growth curve in the future. The building’s architect is Shore Tible Irwin Partnership. |
| Kick-Off Event Celebrates Beginning of Construction of the New DNA Building at Trent Trent press release (website) - Wednesday, August 31, 2005 (Peterborough) Faculty, students and staff from Trent University joined with representatives of three levels of government today to celebrate the beginning of the construction of Trent's new DNA Building. The first module in phase one of the project will provide a new home for faculty from the Biology and Trent-Fleming DNA Forensics programs. Also housed in the building will be additional faculty from Anthropology and Nursing, researchers with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources currently working at the Trent campus and staff from the Peterborough Region DNA Cluster office. The DNA Building is a state-of-the-art teaching and research facility that is interdisciplinary in focus. The first building module is part of a longer-term vision that will see a regional research and technology park anchored on Trent University's endowment lands. The facility will include new wet and dry lab spaces, classrooms and faculty offices. Phase one consists of two blocks (A & B) with a second floor above block B. These two blocks are approximately 57,900 square feet. Approximately 50 per cent of the building will comprise wet and dry laboratories with a strong emphasis on shared research space. Two teaching classrooms will be constructed along with offices to house Trent researchers. The second floor will be occupied by the OMNR. In the 2004-05 fiscal year, over 800 Trent University employees and approximately 7,800 students contributed $261M to the local economy. When construction of the DNA Building is finalized in 2005-06, the DNA cluster project will contribute approximately $39M to the local economy, bringing Trent's economic contribution to Peterborough and surrounding areas to $300M. Bonnie Patterson, President and Vice-Chancellor, said, "The DNA Cluster project is the ultimate example of an ideal partnership combining the best knowledge, expertise, and collaborative efforts from the public and private sectors throughout the region." Jeff Leal, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Economic Development and Trade, noted, "The DNA Cluster is part of a new frontier which will ensure Peterborough's future economic growth." Bill Juby, Deputy Mayor, emphasized, "This is a great, win-win partnership. The City of Peterborough is pleased to participate with Trent University on this endeavour that will benefit our community immensely." Paul Wilson, Chair of the DNA Wildlife Forensics Program and Associate Professor, said, "Housing the Trent-Fleming Forensic Degree Program within this research environment will expose the students to state-of-the-art protocols, facilities and equipment on par with the leading forensic laboratories and in excess of many other private and public sector operations. "It is the integrated curriculum of the forensic program and the exposure to cutting edge facilities and research that will prepare our students for a wide range of employment opportunities. Opportunities that require the scientific foundation, applied skill level and training in ethics and quality assurance our graduates will possess." For more information on the DNA Building, please visit www.trentu.ca/dnacluster. - 30 - For more information, contact Don Cumming, Senior Director, Public Affairs at 705-748-1011, ext. 1224. |
