Feds support CLS operating funds

The Canadian Light Source (CLS) has received $44 million over four years bringing it a step closer to securing the necessary support to operate the growing national synchrotron facility over the next several years. With seven new beam lines about to come on stream early next year, the Saskatoon-based facility is now focusing on securing $8.5 million in operational funding from the Saskatchewan government — a process expected to yield results in the coming weeks.

The CLS funding situation has improved significantly over the past several years due to the tireless efforts of former executive director Bill Thomlinson, who retired several months ago.

"When I arrived, I was afraid that my main task would be lobbying for operational funds from Ottawa. That was not true," says Dr Josef Hormes, current CLS executive director. "I'm just harvesting what Bill did."

When the Phase II beam lines become operational, the total will be 14 with another six planned for Phase III in about three years. Capital funding for the remaining six has already been approved by the Canada Foundation for Innovation.

"Phase III will require an expansion of the building and will need more capital. That's the next big challenge," says Beryl Lepage, chief financial and administration officer.

When fully operational, CLS operations funding will run close to $30 million annually, with an increasing portion coming from fees for service from academic and industrial users. The facility current relies on a half dozen different sources for operating funds and many more for capital funding. Individual beam lines are sponsored by the university users which are responsible for obtaining their own funding sources.

In addition to Saskatchewan, funding has also been received from Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia, with Quebec set to announce its contribution.

After Phase II is complete, the CLS will focus on upgrading beam lines brought into service in Phase I. The lifespan for a beam line is seven or eight years.

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