Construction of the Whiteshell Nuclear Research Establishment (WNRE) started in 1963. Initially, an organic-cooled heavy water-moderated WR-1 Nuclear Reactor was built to study the concept for the CANDU Reactor Program. WNRE was subsequently used for many other experiments including nuclear waste storage and the SLOWPOKE Reactor. Later renamed Whiteshell Laboratories, the facility is presently being decommissioned, with a projected completion date in 2024.
A shielded hotcell facility was originally used to do post irradiation examination of nuclear reactor fuel. It will be used to handle fissile and radioactive material during the decommissioning process after which the shielded hotcell facility will be decommissioned.
Aerial view of the Whiteshell Nuclear Research Establishment (no date)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough, 2021-0019
Aerial view of the Whiteshell Nuclear Research Establishment (1982)
Source: George Penner
WR-1 Reactor Building (August 1991)
Source: George Penner
Shielded hotcell facility (March 2023)
Source: George PennerSite Coordinates (lat/long): N50.17853, W96.06077
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Historic Sites of Manitoba: AECL Underground Research Laboratory (RM of Lac du Bonnet)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Pinawa Town Monument (LGD of Pinawa)
This page was prepared by George Penner.
Page revised: 13 February 2024
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