A feasibility study is underway to explore the possibly of opening a biotechnology/biomedical centre in the old Thunder Bay Regional Hospital.
According to Ray Williamson, project developer for Dominion Construction Canada operations, the building has the ability to house 400 workers concentrating on different biotechnology medical sectors.
“We want to try to attract industry here,” Williamson says.
Williamson explains he facilitated partnerships with DST Consulting Engineers Inc, BDO Dunwoody LLP, Thunder Bay Regional Hospital and the city, along with Dominion Construction and Human Resources Development Canada toward the feasibility study.
“They realize they have to move in that direction to complement the resource-based industries,” Williamson says.
The study should be completed by October, and if successful they expect to attract business to the city shortly after.
“What we want to do is use it as an incubator to build from, so as you need the space, you fill it.”
The centre is part of a pan-northern approach to create a biotechnology industry for the North. A recent study from the Bank of Nova Scotia indicates strong employment opportunities lie within the sector within the next five years.
