Province commits to major upgrade of BU science building – News

A significant renovation is planned for the John R. Brodie Science Centre at Brandon University (BU) following an announcement by the Government of Manitoba on Tuesday, July 16.

The Province pledged a contribution of up to $52 million toward upgrades to the building and its facilities as part of a greater announcement supporting doctor training in Brandon. The announcement also included the doubling of doctor training seats — from 10 to 20 — at the Brandon Regional Health Centre, through the University of Manitoba’s Max Rady College of Medicine. 

“Our government is committed to rebuilding health care across Manitoba and we’re following through on that commitment by training the next generation of family physicians right here in Westman,” said Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew in an event held in the main foyer of the Brodie building.

The upgrades will benefit BU students as they gain valuable skills and knowledge across the sciences, including those preparing to enter medical fields, and will facilitate the work of faculty members, giving them the opportunity to build on their world-class research.

Dr. Kofi Campbell

“We believe that a strong Faculty of Science here at Brandon University is a benefit not only to Brandon, not only to the Westman region, not only to the North, but to this entire province and in fact this entire country,” said Dr. Kofi Campbell, BU’s Acting President and Vice-Chancellor.

Dr. Campbell pointed out that the investment will also strengthen work across the university, enhancing training for future teachers, nurses, psychiatric nurses and more.

The Premier was joined by a number of cabinet ministers at the event, including Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care Minister Uzoma Asagwara, Advanced Education and Training Minister Renée Cable, and Brandon East MLA Glen Simard, who is also the Minister for Municipal and Northern Relations. Both Asagwara and Simard are graduates of Brandon University and were joined at the podium by two more BU alumni: Brandon Mayor Jeff Fawcett and Dr. Joanne Maier, the Associate Dean of Rady College of Medicine, Brandon Program.

Renée Cable

“We want Westman students to be able to access top quality science education at Brandon University, which may inspire them to a number of health-care careers including medicine and help them to prepare for applying to medical school,” said Cable. “We are pleased to support the long-overdue upgrades to the Brodie Science Centre.”

Asagwara and Fawcett pointed to the connection between training in a region and laying down long-term roots.

Uzoma Asagwara

“We know that when students train in rural communities, they’re more likely to stay and build their careers there,” said Asagwara. “This is an important step in strengthening rural health care and keeping more physicians in the region.”

“This is an exciting commitment to Brandon families and the Westman region,” Fawcett said. “The combination of these additional training seats and new science labs will attract our homegrown talent, get them working in Westman settings and lead to more physicians starting a practice right here at home.”

To see the full Manitoba government news release, visit News.gov.mb.ca/news/index.html?item=69917&posted=2025-07-16.

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