An Overview of the 1999-2000 Fiscal Year

The financial statements in this Annual Report are summaries of the actual financial statements in the 2000 Annual Financial Report, which are audited by the Provincial Auditor.

The year began with a flurry of activity as the university readied itself for the Pan Am Games. The Games left a signifi cant legacy to the university (noted elsewhere in this report), as well as providing invaluable experience for university staff who played a significant role in the staging of the Games.

During the year the university began construction on SMART-park, a research park on the Fort Garry campus. Funding of $5.6 million for the necessary infrastructure and short-term operating requirements was provided by the provincial and federal governments through the Economic Innovation and Technology Council and the Western Economic Development Corporation.

With the arrival of the new millennium, like all major cor-porate entities, the university was busy preparing its sys-tems to ensure readiness for the year 2000. This involved upgrades to the universityıs computer systems for general operations and research, as well as for physical plant and other equipment. Extensive testing conducted throughout 1999 enabled the university to begin the year 2000 with minimal disruption.