Nine national research facilities have received a total of $25-million in funding for ongoing operations and maintenance from the Canadian Foundation for Innovation’s (CFI) Major Science Initiatives Fund. This fund allows researchers to undertake world-class research and technology development leading to social, economic and environmental benefits for Canadians.

The Government of Manitoba has invested $8.9-million into the construction and development of a new bilingual ACCESS centre in St. Boniface, Man., scheduled for completion in summer 2016. ACCESS centres offer health and social services to community residents. These include public health, primary care, mental health, employment and income assistance, early learning and child care, children’s disability, community living disability, and home care services.

The new Royal Alberta Museum, a 419,000-square-foot development, has entered construction in downtown Edmonton, Alta. The facility, which will become the largest museum in western Canada, will feature over 82,000 square feet of exhibition space focused on the natural and human history of Alberta. It replaces and doubles the size of an existing facility, built in 1967.

A $2.46-million Department of Environment building has officially opened in Watson Lake, Yukon. The 3,000-square-foot energy-efficient building includes four offices, a meeting room, work bays, a biological submission room, storage room, washrooms, and space for seasonal staff.

Winnipeg’s Misericordia Health Centre is currently undergoing extensive renovations, upgrades and additions and phase one is now complete. The $43-million project, set to open in stages, includes the Buhler Eye Care Centre, PRIME program, and Ambulatory Diagnostic Centre. During phase one of construction, an existing facility, known as the Maryland South building, was demolished to make way for a two-storey complex housing the aforementioned programs and centres.

Toronto’s new and improved Regent Park ice rink has officially opened at 480 Shuter St., boasting new lighting, dasherboards and fencing. The rink is part of a larger project, the Regent Park Athletic Grounds, which is currently under construction. The state-of-the-art sports facility is slated for completion later this year.

A 124,000-square-foot Sport for Life Centre in Winnipeg is set to enter the second phase of construction in spring 2015. The first phase of construction opened in April 2010. The one-of-a-kind facility, which will feature space for sport training and programs, recreational pursuits and youth leadership development, will be used as a venue for the 2017 Canada Summer Games.