Cereals Canada is moving ahead with its plans to build the Global Agriculture Technology Exchange.
“The board of directors strongly supports Cereals Canada, including the vision for GATE,” chair Brett Halstead said in a June 27 news release.
Related story: Membership crisis rocks Cereals Canada
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The new building planned for downtown Winnipeg in the heart of the grain industry is projected to cost $100 million and would house Cereals Canada and other grain industry bodies. However, it first needs to line up the money, for which it is launching a capital campaign.
“The campaign will target contributions from industry groups, agribusinesses and individuals, as well as support from the three levels of government,” said the release.
There has been internal strife within the Cereals Canada membership in recent months, particularly after the GATE project was revealed to members a few weeks ago. A number of grain and seed/chemical companies have considered quitting the organization, with some feeling financial pressure to cut expenses and some unhappy with Cereals Canada’s treatment of members.
Few deny that Cereals Canada badly needs new digs for its sophisticated processing and milling equipment, which was never a good fit for a downtown office building, where it is currently located.
Some, however, don’t think downtown makes sense as a location, with the critical mass of agriculture research and commercial operations already occurring in the University of Manitoba’s research park.
Others wonder why existing empty structures, of which there are many in Winnipeg, aren’t the favoured solution.
The issue has been around for decades, with the accommodation shortcomings of what was formerly called the Canadian International Grains Institute widely recognized.
Cereals Canada says it has to be out of its present building by 2027, so the time to get moving on a replacement is now.
Contact ed.white@producer.com
