Breaking Ground On New Hygienic Lab

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Breaking Ground On New Hygienic Lab

By: Steve Nicoles, Reporter

By Steve Nicoles

CORALVILLE - In about three years Iowa will have a new state-of-the-art hygienic lab. But the new building comes with a hefty price tag and some controversy. The new hygienic lab will cost more than $37-million to build. The state is covering about $36 million. The former director of the lab still says the money is not enough.

It is all smiles at an official ground breaking ceremony. And Wednesday’s was no different. The University of Iowa is ecstatic to build a hygienic lab to replace the current 89-year-old building. Interim president Gary Fethke said, “I think it's a great statement and a great day for the people of the lab."

The lab is expected to help the state better handle outbreaks like we saw with the mumps last spring, or if the bird flu ever hits. Interim lab director Chris Acthison said, “I think this laboratory brings a new level of capacity for state public health."

Former director Mary Gilchrist says the capacity is not enough. She would like to see an extra 12,000 square feet of space. The added cost is nearly $4 million. Gilchrist is actively fund raising. Her website www.iowanswantthebestlab.org has a letter dated October 21st. She says she is short about $2.5 million. The university does not like her fund raising. That is part of the reason it fired her earlier this month. But the school will take it. Fethke said, “We certainly would prefer that fund raising was done through the University of Iowa, but we're happy to accept contributions to support this laboratory."

Atchison will not say Gilchrist's plan is the best, but he is not denying it either. Construction starts next year. One design or another, the lab is expected to open in 2009.

For more information on Gilchrist’s fund raising, visit her website, www.iowanswantthebestlab.org.

Email Steve Nicoles at Steve.Nicoles@kcrg.com
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