TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Sept. 10, 2013) - On September 17, the SickKids community welcomes you to the official opening of its new home for research and learning. On the corner of Bay and Elm streets, the Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning will bring together 2,000 researchers and research staff, who are currently scattered throughout six different buildings. At 21 storeys and 750,000 square feet, it is believed to be the largest child health research tower in the world.
Advances in science over the past decade have broken down research silos, enabling scientists to network across disciplines to accelerate progress and breakthroughs. Recognizing this, and with a vision for the future of health research, SickKids broke ground on its new building just three years ago. Now complete, this $400 million research tower designed by Diamond Schmitt Architects Inc. was uniquely created to enhance collaboration and demonstrates SickKids' commitment to advancing paediatric research.
The Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning will not only change the face of the Discovery District, but will be a catalyst, sparking interactions that will fuel innovation and drive improvements in child health outcomes in Canada and around the world.
| What: | Official opening celebration of the Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning |
| Announcement of fundraising results for largest capital campaign in SickKids history | |
| Who: | Mary Jo Haddad, President and CEO, SickKids |
| Dr. Janet Rossant, Chief of Research, SickKids | |
| Tim Hockey, Campaign Cabinet Chair, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning | |
| Peter Gilgan, Philanthropist and Lead Donor, Founder and CEO, Mattamy Homes | |
| Donald Schmitt, Principal, Diamond Schmitt Architects Inc. | |
| Federal, provincial and municipal government officials | |
| Diana Merino, former SickKids oncology patient and current oncology research trainee | |
| Children's Council representative and patient ambassador Katie Armstrong, 15, (cardiac patient) presents final item for time capsule | |
| When: | Tuesday, September 17, 2013 |
| 9:30 a.m. | |
| Where: | Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning |
| 686 Bay Street | |
| Toronto, ON | |
| Please meet at 9:15 a.m. in the lobby of the Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning | |
| Visuals: | Mary Jo Haddad leads patient ambassador Hunter Kemp, 6, (leukemia survivor) on personalized tour. This will be the first patient to tour the building. |
| Interviews with spokespeople | |
| SickKids research and learning staff | |
| SickKids patients and families | |
| Mini guided tours of building available upon request |
Contact Information:
Matet Nebres
416-813-6380
matet.nebres@sickkids.ca
SickKids Foundation
Sandra Chiovitti
416-813-8292
sandra.chiovitti@sickkidsfoundation.com