GLACIER Inc. Grand Opening

We're looking a total investment of $43 million

It’s been a while since my last entry, and that is entirely reflective of the fact that I've been launched headfirst into a renewed term and my calendar is quickly filling up.  Only two days after the election Mayor, Council and Council-Elect were invited to the grand opening ceremony of The Global Aerospace Centre for Icing and Environmental Research (GLACIER) Inc., a joint venture between Pratt & Whitney Canada and Rolls-Royce Canada.

On October 29^th this state-of-the-art cold weather testing and research facility for aircraft engines officially opened.  This facility is the most advanced of its kind in the world.  It specializes in ice tests for aerospace engine certification programs.  It will also play a leading role in cold weather research for the benefit of the entire aviation industry, and offer unique education opportunities through partnerships with schools and universities.  GLACIER Inc. will work with the Canadian Environmental Test Research and Education Centre (EnviroTREC), a non-profit organization created to develop and maintain research, human resources and education programs in support of GLACIER activities.

Senior Executives from Rolls-Royce and Pratt & Whiteny were in attendance, along with Hon. Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, Hon. Peter Bjornson, Minister of Entrepreneurship, Training and Trade and Hon. Steve Ashton, Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation.

The icing tunnel (NOT a giant moose caller)

The facility was constructed by MDS based in Ottawa

Rolls-Royce Engine ready to go

One of the best parts about the whole event was the validation it provided to our northern community.  Although it was a beautiful, sunny late-October day in Thompson, the biting arctic wind had many of our guests shivering and tugging on their toques. The press release states that “sub-arctic temperatures make [Thompson] an ideal location to conduct ice tests using natural weather conditions.”  If this is how our City takes lemons and makes lemonade, I’d say we’re on the right track!