INUVIK - Fitness centre users can stop sweating now that an air conditioner is on its way.

"That's great news," said Gurdev Jagpal mid-way through his stepper routine at the gym Monday evening.

Gurdev Jagpal works up a sweat at the fitness centre at the Midnight Sun Complex Monday evening. He said he's looking forward to the installation of an air conditioner at the gym soon. - Andrew Rankin/NNSL photo

"The heat can get really bad, especially in the summertime. I can't do so much cardio as I like because it's so warm here."

Jagpal, who uses the gym about four times a week, isn't the only exerciser who's tired of the sometimes sauna-like conditions.

Up until a week ago Sandra Forbes said she found it very difficult contending with the heat.

"It was really hot," she said. "Air conditioning is really needed here. I'm glad it's coming."

It's not just any old air conditioner either - this one will be solar-powered. The process of installing it will start in the next couple of weeks, said Sara Brown, Inuvik's Senior Administrative Officer. But she added that since it's a pilot project, and the system is new to the North, she couldn't give a firm date as to when it would be up and running.

Brown also said the Midnight Sun Complex's air handling system is not bringing enough air into the gym because the system is too small. That system will be upgraded while the air conditioner mechanism is being installed.

The same type of solar air conditioning system will be installed at town hall.

The town doesn't anticipate using the air conditioner at the gym during the dark winter months, but if needed, it can be run from a regular electricity source.

Brown said the town decided to go with the solar-powered air conditioner because it's run primarily by renewable energy and two thirds of the $130,000 price tag for both systems was paid for through grants.