Nipissing University expands athletic centre and boosts research

Nipissing MPP Monique Smith along with Nipissing University officials outlined details of the university's latest expansion plan Friday.

With funds from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC), the university will add a single-storey addition to the RJ Surtees Athletic Centre as well as receiving funds to undertake a geospatial data project for the agriculture community.





Complete details are contained in the release below.

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Nipissing University is creating new jobs and opportunities at its North Bay campus by building an active learning and physical health innovation centre as well as conducting new research programs in health and agriculture.
 
With support from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC), the university is building a single-storey addition to the RJ Surtees Athletic Centre. The new facility will give Schulich School of Education students all the background they need to help their future students make healthy choices in terms of nutrition, lifestyle and physical activity. The addition will also feature a combination of state-of-the-art physical health research and active laboratory testing spaces, a large multi-purpose community event and recreation facility, and educational areas for courses related to physical education.

In addition, Nipissing University is receiving NOHFC support to undertake a geospatial data project for the agriculture community.  This project will enhance the knowledge capacity of farmers by providing timely research and information on issues such as soil drainage, environmental monitoring, climate data and yield estimates. Nipissing’s researchers will be able to develop a virtual, real-time "Farmers' Almanac!"
  
Education, research and job creation are important components of the Open Ontario plan.
 
“The excellence of research at Nipissing University that relates directly to community partners is again being showcased through these important initiatives. This important investment by the Ontario government will further strengthen Nipissing's standing as Northern Ontario’s most innovative academic institution.”
- Monique Smith, MPP for Nipissing.
 
“By investing in this project, we are helping Nipissing University train northerners close to home and ensuring the continued growth and sustainability of the North’s agriculture sector through partnerships and research that is directly relevant to agricultural production.”
- Michael Gravelle, Minister of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry and Chair of the NOHFC. 
 
“Through these initiatives, the university is addressing two important community goals. The funding will help advance healthy active living and learning, and it allows our researchers to collaborate with our agricultural partners to ensure we are able to produce local food of high quality that supports healthy living and a strong agricultural sector.”
- Lesley Lovett-Doust, President, Nipissing University.

QUICK FACTS

Nipissing University graduates about 800 new teachers each year.

Ontario is providing $1 million for the active learning and physical health research innovation centre project through the NOHFC’s Infrastructure and Community Development Program.

The NOHFC is investing $410,500 in the geospatial data project under its Emerging Technology Program.

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