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Saskatoon city councillors have unanimously voted to explore additional funding options for the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) at the University of Saskatchewan.
The city already contributed $250,000 towards an animal research facility, but late last week, VIDO CEO and director Volker Gerdts said VIDO would be asking the city for an additional $50,000 payable in 2025.
During a presentation to the city’s Governance and Priorities Committee meeting, Dr. Paul Hodgson said in the last month and a half, costs have significantly increased.
“The situation that we have found ourselves in is that because of inflation and some of the extreme construction cost overruns, the facility that we originally imagined at about $66 million is now coming in at $92 million,” he said.
Hodgson said VIDO would also be asking the federal and provincial governments for a combined $24 million, but support from the city was vital prior to making the large asks. VIDO will also be increasing its own contribution by $2 million.
Coun. Cynthia Block said VIDO was an important facility, like the synchrotron, and she proposed a motion to ask administration for a report on where the money could come from.
“Our ability to see what happens in our city and what happens at our university go together and it matters that we are mutually supportive of one another, so I wholeheartedly support this ask today,” she said.
“I’m certainly one who believes this is a good investment,” added Mayor Charlie Clark.
City council will have an opportunity to vote on the motion at a meeting in January after the administrative report has been completed.