Creating Jobs and Supporting Families in the Tri-Cities

PORT COQUITLAM, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - June 30, 2015) - Today, the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Industry, Minister Responsible for British Columbia and Member of Parliament for Port Moody-Westwood-Port Coquitlam, announced that Dynamic Structures will receive up to $70 million to build and deliver the precision-steel enclosure of the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT), one of the world's largest Earth-based telescopes. The Harper Government's investment will create approximately 125 new full-time, high-skill jobs within the company and its partner suppliers.

The TMT is a landmark international project to build one of the world's largest and most advanced astronomical observatories. The telescope will be built on Hawaii's Mauna Kea summit, which is an ideal site due to its high altitude and dry climate. It is already home to several international observatories.

Dynamic Structures is a Port Coquitlam company that designs and builds complex mechanical systems and specialty structures for world-class telescopes, theme park rides and bridges. It was selected to design, build and deliver the TMT's precision-steel enclosure-the spherical outer shell that will rotate on two planes to allow the opening of the dome to be perfectly located over the telescope. This novel design will shield the instrument from temperature variations and wind.

Quick facts

• On April 6, 2015, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced that Canada will provide up to $243.5 million over 10 years to support Canada's participation in the Thirty Meter Telescope.

• The Thirty Meter Telescope is an international project to build one of the world's largest and most advanced astronomical observatories, which will be located in Hawaii. It is expected to lead the next wave of scientific discoveries. The project is an international collaboration involving the United States, Japan, China and India. Supporting the partnership is a vast array of academic partners and national research agencies.

• The telescope enclosure will be built and delivered by Dynamic Structures, and cutting-edge adaptive optics technologies will be developed by the National Research Council of Canada in collaboration with Canadian companies.

• Canada's contribution will secure a viewing share for Canadian researchers at the Thirty Meter Telescope once it is operational in 2023-24. This access will enable Canadian astronomers to study a broad range of astrophysical phenomena, including the processes that lead to star and planet formation, the investigation of supermassive black holes, and the star-by-star observation of galaxies located several million light years away.

• The National Research Council will lead Canada's participation in the project.

Quotes

"Canada's participation in the Thirty Meter Telescope project is a testament to our country's leadership in the astronomical sciences. The funding announced today will generate new capabilities and technologies right here in the Tri-Cities and will create high-quality jobs in British Columbia and in communities across the country. With this project, Canada is participating in a world-leading scientific endeavor, from which it will continue to benefit when the technologies created are used in future applications in the health, defence and telecommunications sectors."

- James Moore, Minister of Industry

"Unimaginable discoveries about our universe will come from this observatory, which is on the cutting edge of technological innovation. Our engineers and steel fabricators are honoured to be a part it. All Canadians can be proud of the leadership role played by Canadian scientists and industry in the field of astronomy."

- Guy Nelson, Executive Chairman of Empire Industries and CEO of its wholly owned division, Dynamic Structures

"We're excited about the opportunities this telescope project is bringing to Port Coquitlam. Dynamic Structures is an excellent example of an innovative high-tech company in our community that has gained recognition around the world for the great work it does. We encourage other businesses to come to Port Coquitlam-we're strategically located, affordable and progressive."

- Greg Moore, Mayor of Port Coquitlam

Associated links

• Thirty Meter Telescope
• Dynamic Structures
• Canada's Space Policy Framework

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