Major renovations planned at OLG building, Algoma University

Some major renovations are planned inside the big Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. building downtown.

A building permit has been issued for $5.07 million in alterations to existing OLG offices at 70 Foster Dr.

The changes are planned on the first, second, third, fifth, seventh and eighth floors.

Elsewhere, Algoma University is spending $3.25 million for a new animal care facility on the first level of its biosciences convergence centre, together with an associated CL-2 containment laboratory for working with medium-risk biological agents and hazards.

"Algoma University is the home of leading researchers in wildlife and environmental studies, and is currently in the process of reinvesting to ramp up research and update our animal care space," the university says in a statement to SooToday.

"This includes a renovation of the university's current animal care space to ensure enough capacity, and ensure it's up-to-date with current policies and regulations of accrediting bodies, including the Canadian Council on Animal Care.

"The plans for the space have been designed by experts in animal care, including a consulting veterinarian trained in the care of research animals."

Erin Morrison, the university's director of strategic marketing and communications, says Algoma U currently has four principal investigators with relevant active protocols, three involving observational studies on bird populations, one exploring the effects of contaminants on fish and tadpoles.

"The use of animals in research at Algoma University is approved and monitored by the Algoma University animal care committee, which adheres to the regulations and policies set out by the Canadian Council on Animal Care, the federal body responsible for overseeing all animal research in Canada.

"Through the Algoma University animal care committee, principal investigators can apply to perform research with animals, which is thoroughly vetted to ensure all animals are properly cared for and that the researcher has considered the “three R’s”; replacement, reduction, and refinement. 

"The animal care committee has representatives from researchers, students, the community and a consulting veterinarian to ensure diverse voices are heard.

The Algoma University animal care committee continually monitors animal use in research through inspections by the committee and veterinarian, and by reports prepared by principle investigators."

Morrison said the containment lab will be adjacent to the new animal care facility and will allow Algoma to hold animal-derived cultures.

The OLG and Algoma U jobs, worth a combined $8.32 million, are the two largest among $14.6 million in building permits issued by the City of Sault Ste. Marie last month.

Only two permits were for new structures: one for a single-family dwelling, the other for a utility building.

Other building projects of interest:

• $2.9 million worth of interior and exterior renovations at Korah Collegiate, 636 Goulais Ave.
• $930,000 for interior renovations for the cancer bunker at Sault Area Hospital
• $200,000 for new interior tenant fit-out for Habitat for Humanity Restore in former Winner's location in Cambrian Mall, 44 Great Northern Rd. Work will include a new facade, new entrance and site works
• as SooToday reported last night, a $60,000 security fence is being built around the decrepit old hospital site on the waterfront