New greenhouse dedicated
November 23, 2011
907-474-5042
11/23/11
With the quick snip of an enormous pair of scissors across a royal blue ribbon, University of Alaska Fairbanks officials opened the new $5.325 million School of Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences/Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station Greenhouse.
“Twenty-eight weeks ago we put the shovel in the ground,” said Jim Mitchell, Ghemm Co. project manager, during a Nov. 22 dedication ceremony. “It’s been a team effort and a really interesting project. It was unique and it had its challenges.”
The week prior to the dedication ceremony, Fairbanks temperatures held at -40 degrees for days and the greenhouse maintained 75 degrees throughout the bitter cold.
“It was a good test run,” Mitchell said.
“This is an exciting day for the School of Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences and for UAF,” said UAF Chancellor Brian Rogers. “This has been a fast-track project.”
Calling the greenhouse a critical component of SNRAS’s horticulture program, Rogers said the new facility increases the teaching and research space from what was available in the old greenhouse, removed in the spring to make room for the Life Sciences Building.
While some people questioned the cost of the facility, Rogers assured the doubters that this is not just a simple greenhouse; it is equipped with a state-of-the-art climate control system.
“We’ll be able to reach out to communities, help in the drive for food security, extend the growing season and create new economic opportunities,” Rogers said.
He recognized the school’s partners, Pike’s Landing and Chena Hot Springs Resort, and thanked Ghemm Co. and Design Alaska.
Murray Richmond, legislative aide for Sen. Joe Thomas, read remarks sent by the senator. “Alaska agriculture sounds like an oxymoron to some people,” he said. “But they don’t know Alaska. We are the only people who would dedicate a greenhouse when it is 18 below zero.
“The work you do here is important. You are coming up with solutions. This project is true to the spirit of Alaska. We will find a way.”
Carol Lewis, dean of SNRAS and director of the Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, said controlled environments are the future of agriculture in Alaska. The new greenhouse will present many wonderful opportunities, she said. “It’s going to be innovative and great fun.”
She lauded Ghemm Co. “You made it happen,” she said. The company employed 189 workers, and no accidents occurred throughout the construction; 32 sub-contractors were also hired.
The downstairs portion of the complex, containing three greenhouse modules, remains to be finished, and Rogers said he is committed to completing the project as soon as possible. He has set aside about half of the $500,000 it will take to do the job.