Norman Wells (Sep 18/06) - Business may be booming in the Sahtu, but Norman Wells companies are feeling the pinch of a lack of buildings.

"One of the biggest problems here is office space," said Dudley Johnson, director of community programs for Aurora College in the Sahtu.

The community learning centre has been housed in an Atco trailer for years and Johnson said it can be an uphill battle to gain credibility when students see where they're studying.

"People used to call this ‘Trailer Trash College' until they saw everything we do here," he said.

Though attitudes have come around, Johnson said that doesn't eliminate the need for a new building.

According to the GNWT's long-term plan capital plan, Johnson said there is money for the learning centre to construct a building of its own sometime after 2008.

"I'll believe it when I see it," he said.

"The territorial government is trying to lease us space in a new building that the Norman Wells Land Corp. is planning.

"The Department of Education, Culture and Employment is looking for office space in town, too."

Land Corp. chief operating officer Kathy Bjornson declined to comment, except to confirm the Metis organization is considering an office development in the not-too-distant future.

Investors are waiting to see what happens with the proposed natural gas pipeline before committing to big capital projects in the community, said Nazim Awan, Norman Wells economic development officer.

"It's highly competitive right now for space," he said. "In the present circumstances there is no relief in sight for office space."

Michael Sanagan, Sahtu regional superintendent for the territorial Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment, confirmed the rental market is tight.

"When we look to recruit someone to move here that's when we see it," he said.

Awan said while he has no firm statistics, around town he's heard housing prices are up between 20-30 per cent in Norman Wells this year.

He couldn't provide a similar figure for commercial space or residential rentals because, "There's nothing available."