LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON - Three high-traffic public buildings in Fort Simpson will be more energy efficient once renovations are complete.

The Fort Simpson central heating plant is undergoing a modernization to upgrade the decade-old unit.

The central heating plant in Fort Simpson is undergoing major renovations that will cost a little more than $2 million. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

The renovation project, which began on June 1, is addressing a number of issues with both the building and the heating plant, said Curt Snook, the regional superintendent for the Department of Public Works and Services in the South Slave.

The construction contract for the project was awarded to Adco North Ltd. from Yellowknife for a little more than $2 million.

The facility, which heats both schools in the village as well as the recreation centre, is being converted from a high pressure to a low pressure system. The new system will be more energy efficient and also smaller because the plant no longer needs to heat Dehcho Hall, Snook said.

The 50-year-old facility, was built in 1959 and had old-style boilers which are now oversized, he said.

"It made sense to bring in the more energy-efficient boilers," said Snook.

The replacement of the boilers was timed to coincide with renovations to the rest of the building. During the initial phase of the project a specialist contractor removed the asbestos and lead paint from the building.

A building will also be given a new roof as well as general renovations throughout.

"It was well overdue to get in and get at it," said Snook.

The deferred maintenance plan, which is being used throughout the territory, provided some of the funding for the roof and the work on the facility.

The upgrade to the heating system is scheduled to be complete by Sept. 7. The rest of the work may extend into October.