Cape Breton University - Centre for Discovery and Innovation

in progress

This project would support the construction of a new, efficient academic building for Cape Breton University. The Centre for Discovery and Innovation (CDI) will house laboratories, classrooms, research facilities, student services, and feature cutting-edge, modular design to facilitate interactive, experiential learning. The CDI will feature the most future proof, energy-efficient building infrastructure technologies, such as a geothermal closed loop system, solar panels, and smart building controls, among others, with the target of a net-zero ready facility. The construction of this new building will enable the decommissioning of 112,000 square feet of inefficient infrastructure on campus - two of their most carbon-intensive buildings. This facility will position the island to be a leader in innovation and the green economy by providing state-of-the-art training grounds for new talent, research space for world-renowned researchers, and community engagement and innovation space to collaboratively solve local and global problems. It is also an integral part of the university’s plan to reduce and eventually eliminate its carbon footprint. Cape Breton University will own and operate all project assets, and they will be the Ultimate Recipient of the funding.