The government of Manitoba announced Wednesday that they will be providing up to $9 million for the construction of a new marine observatory in Churchill by the University of Manitoba.

“The Churchill Marine Observatory will create up to 21 permanent jobs, boost tourism and transportation in the region and enhance Manitoba and Canada’s reputation as a world leader in Arctic research.” said Education and Training Minister Ian Wishart.

When operational, the Churchill Marine Observatory will serve as a year-round hub for cutting-edge scientific research and technology development in the North.

 The new state-of-the-art facility will enhance Canada’s ability to monitor variability and change in nature, and ensure that governments and industry have the information needed to plan for and respond to economic development pressures throughout the Arctic.

“The Churchill Marine Observatory will position Canada as a global leader of research and technological development in the areas of detection, impacts and mitigation of oil and contaminant spills in sea-ice covered waters.  The research results will be adaptable to real-world scenarios in a variety of Arctic environments.” said Digvir Jayas, vice-president (research and international) for the University of Manitoba.

It is expected that as many as 80 academics and students from the University of Manitoba and other universities in Canada, the United States and Europe will visit the facility to conduct research each year.  The facility will be available to industrial partners or other international institutes for research for approximately three weeks annually.

For Churchill the benefits are local construction jobs as well as a boost to the local economy as researchers and visitors make use of local amenities such as hotels, restaurants and transportation. 

-News4 Staff-