Aklavik (Aug 11/03) - The new Aklavik Fred Carmichael Airport terminal building will offer more room for office personnel and the more than 2,500 passengers who use the facility annually.

The $455,000 blue and white steel building was completed over the past few months and now stands next to the landing strip alongside the old terminal.

It has 125 square metres of floor space-- the old building had 83 -- leaving more room for the two passenger service counters and aircraft weather report station.

Although the office spaces are already in use, it will be a few more weeks before passengers will see the inside of the new terminal, said Knute Hansen, Aklavik band operations officer.

The counter-tops for Aklak Air and North-Wright Air have yet to be built. Until then, passengers will continue to use the old terminal building.

Hansen said the building will likely be torn down because the one and a half story building would be difficult to move elsewhere.

"It will be put to good use," said Hansen of recycling the building materials after demolition.

The 25-year-old structure is presently being inspected for environmental problems like asbestos before any decision is made about its future, said Gurdev Jagpal, regional superintendent with the GNWT Department of Transportation.

The new terminal was paid for by the GNWT Department of Transportation and built by Aklavik contractor Robert McLeod.

Construction started in spring 2002.

An official opening ceremony will be scheduled for this September or October, said Jagpal.