AMRIC lab groundbreaking Friday

It will be more than a year behind schedule, but on Friday Health Sciences North's Advanced Medical Research Institute of Canada (AMRIC) will host a groundbreaking ceremony for its new research facility on Walford Road.

In early 2014, AMRIC CEO and scientific director Dr. Francisco Diaz-Mitoma said he expected the renovated facility would be ready by early 2015.

The research lab, located at the former St. Theresa's school, will feature more than 20,000 square feet of research and office space, which would allow AMRIC to support more local researchers.

The research institute currently occupies 12,000 square feet of space on the second level of the Northeast Cancer Centre.

In March 2015, then FedNor Minister Greg Rickford announced the federal government would invest $5 million to renovate the Walford Road space.

The announcement followed a $5-million commitment the province made in 2014, and $1.75 million from the City of Greater Sudbury.

By that point, AMRIC had revised its expectations and said the expansion should be completed by late 2016.