Yellowknife (Dec 24/03) - A Northern aviation wing at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre will likely be complete within three to five years.

"It's not to house aircraft, but to house the stories, the history and myths of aviation," said Don Yamkowy, executive director of the Northern Aviation Heritage Foundation.

The project will see the renovation of the existing Fox Moth aircraft space, after which time the aviation wing will be built on as part of the museum.

Preliminary designs estimate the aviation project to cost about $2.5 million, Yamkowy said.

The mandate of the foundation, he said, is to promote the aviation history for the entire Northern Canada area.

Exhibits will include information on those pilots and mechanics who devoted their lives to aviation, he said.

"The Max Wards of the world are still around," he said.

"It will provide history, promote tourism and is good for youth," Yamkowy said.

Charles Dent, minister of Education, Culture and Employment, said the project will be included in an already planned $10 million renovation project at the museum.

"Our goal is not only to improve the draw of tourists to the centre, but also to reflect the heritage of the North -- from the earliest inhabitants to today. Our role needs to be strengthened," Dent said.