Award-winning documentary about the NRU reactor available for viewing worldwide

Chalk River, May 01, 2019 – Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL), Canada’s premier nuclear science and technology organization, is pleased to announce that Of Great Service: The Story of National Research Universal will be available for viewing on Saturday, May 4 at 8:00 p.m..  The documentary tells the story of the National Research Universal (NRU) research reactor in Chalk River, Ontario and its historical role as one of Canada’s most important scientific and research facilities.

The documentary contains the stories and reflections of both past and present staff, and is an emotional perspective not only of the research reactor but of the impact it has had on those who worked within it.  Notably, this film provides a rare opportunity to view footage of an operating research reactor, and includes the final moments of operation filmed in the control room as the NRU was permanently shut down on March 31, 2018.

“This documentary is driven by stories of people, not of the machine, and it brings a human perspective to all that this amazing facility has enabled,” commented Mark Lesinski, President and CEO. “Importantly for me, the film gave CNL and NRU staff both past and present an opportunity to share their pride in the reactor and to show their friends and family, after so many years, just how important their work was to the world. “

“If you have not yet had an opportunity to view the film, I encourage you to do so.”

Since first screening last fall, the documentary has been shown to more than 2,500 people during public and private showings in Canada and the US and has been awarded at the 2019 Canada International Film Festival.

One of the largest research reactors in the world, NRU was a landmark achievement in Canadian nuclear science and technology went it went into service on November 3, 1957, at Atomic Energy of Canada Limited’s Chalk River Laboratories in Ontario. For over 60 years, the reactor served Canadians as a supplier of industrial and medical radioisotopes used for the diagnosis and treatment of life-threatening diseases, including cancer, as a major Canadian facility for neutron physics research, and to provide engineering research and development support for Canada’s fleet of nuclear power reactors.

The documentary premieres online on Saturday May 4 at 8:00 pm; to view visit www.cnl.ca/NRU-Movie.

About CNL

Canadian Nuclear Laboratories is a world leader in nuclear science and technology offering unique capabilities and solutions across a wide range of industries. Actively involved with industry-driven research and development in nuclear, transportation, clean technology, energy, defence, security and life sciences, we provide solutions to keep these sectors competitive internationally.

With ongoing investments in new facilities and a focused mandate, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories is well positioned for the future. A new performance standard reinforced with a strong safety culture underscores every activity.

For more information on the complete range of services Canadian Nuclear Laboratories please visit www.cnl.ca or contact communications@cnl.ca.

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Contact:
Patrick Quinn
Director, Corporate Communications
CNL, 1-866-886-2325