Inuvik (Mar 07/03) - The architects drawing up the plans for Inuvik's new family centre were in town over the weekend to display and discuss the layout of the new facility.

With the plans at the 60 per cent completion stage, members of the design and construction committee had an opportunity to propose changes or additions to the plans before they are completed.

Principal architect Wayne Guy said the new building will compliment the existing rec centre to provide a full service recreation facility.

"This will be a facility that children can learn competitive swimming and the recreation area will be such a nice lift during the long winters," Guy said. "There will be a hot tub which will be 40 degrees, so you can get out of the cold of winter."

The water park area includes a 150-foot water slide with a 7.6 metre drop, a 25-metre lane pool, a tots pool and numerous other extras. Guy says the building will set a new standard in recreation building.

"It will bring something new to Northern communities, as to what winter recreation can be in the North," Guy said.

He said the complex will be a complete recreation centre where parents can drop off kids at the pool, hockey, while they go work out at the fitness centre.

"Hopefully, it will be much more than a place to drop off and pick up," he said. "The whole family can get involved and it benefits everybody."

He said the project will be built on the basis of the town's budget and if they need to reduce in one area to shore up another, they will, without pushing the price tag further.

"It's like a big stew," Guy said. "We'll see where the costs are higher than we'd like and where it's lower than we'd like, but at the end of the day, we'll make sure that the costs of this facility is within the means of this community."

Aesthetically, he said the new building will have a welcoming appearance greeting visitors.

"I think it will be a very exciting space to enter and very colourful in its accents," Guy said.

The building will be sheathed in a new material that will be decorative as well resilient to Arctic winters.

"It's two metal sheets with insulation sandwiched in between," Guy said. "It's very easy to put up and it comes in quite a variety of finishes."

"Metal is a beautiful material if it's used properly."

He promises the exterior colours will be bright and warm to further accent the tropical interior.

"It will be a nice break from the winter that sometimes seems to be here too long."