If you drive through Ignace, Ont., one of the host communities for the Nuclear Waste Management Organization’s (NWMO) deep geological repository for used nuclear fuel, you will notice a new billboard on the property to the west of the township office. It was installed by the NWMO earlier this week announcing that the site is the future home of the NWMO’s Centre of Expertise.
Designed at approximately 55,000 square feet, the centre will accommodate 160 to 200 NWMO employees. It will include flexible multi-purpose and educational spaces, a design that blends into the natural environment, and an accessible location connected to community amenities.
“We are proud to see this billboard marking the site of our Centre of Expertise,” said Sarah Hirschorn, Vice-President of Projects at the NWMO. “This building will be an NWMO corporate office for a century or more, which is incredible to think about, and we are eager to see this beautiful building in operation with our staff working here.”
In December 2025, the NWMO purchased property just west of the Ignace township offices that is approximately 67 acres, and the centre will occupy about 20 acres of that land.
“The unveiling of this NWMO billboard is much more than the installation of a sign. It represents a visible commitment to Ignace’s future and marks another important step in the development of the NWMO Centre of Expertise, a transformational investment,” said Ignace Mayor Kim Baigrie. “This project will create opportunities, attract talent and innovation, and reinforce Ignace’s role as a leader in nuclear waste stewardship and community partnership.”
The Centre of Expertise was a significant negotiated commitment that the Township of Ignace included in the hosting agreement that was signed in 2024, which aimed at ensuring that investments related to Canada’s used fuel repository will support the community in achieving its aspirations for the future.
A request for proposals for the construction of the centre was released on Aug. 11, and the successful firm is expected to be named in the new year, with construction beginning in 2027.