ARVIAT/RANKIN INLET - A pair of new research facilities should arrive in Arviat and Rankin Inlet this week.

Arviat is receiving a research support building, while a research lab is being placed near the community learning centre in Rankin.

Nunavut Research Institute capital planner Eric Corneau and senior science officer Mary Ellen Thomas go over plans for new research facilities in Arviat and Rankin Inlet this past week in Iqaluit. - photo courtesy of Doug White

The two trailers housing the facilities are funded by the Arctic Research Infrastructure Fund, which is also funding a new head office for the Nunavut Research Institute (NRI) in Iqaluit.

The NRI's senior science officer, Mary Ellen Thomas, hopes to see the Arviat facility open for business later this month.

Thomas said the support building will house three bedrooms, a storage room and a living room/kitchen area.

She said it's a place for researchers to stay when passing through Arviat, and for the community to use on research projects it might come up with through Nunavut Arctic College (NAC).

"There are a number of people doing wildlife and other types of research we license, and other teams often pass through the Arviat area," said Thomas.

"Those who want to use the facility can go onto the Canadian Polar Commission (CPC) website, look down the sidebar to Northern research facilities, and read who to contact and what the fees are.

"Researchers going to any site in Canada can find information there, and we regularly update information to the CPC so researchers all over the world know what's available and who to contact.

"They would make arrangements in Arviat through NAC's divisional secretary."

Thomas said a key area of research identified worldwide is the treeline.

She said climate change is going to bring change to the treeline, and it's only natural to expect to see a lot of research in that area during the next few years.

"We're planning ahead for the next 15 to 20 years of interest and research.

"It also helped to have the Department of Environment in Arviat, which has similar needs, so all the researchers, whether licensed by us or someone else, will be able to share that facility."

The Rankin lab is a double-wide trailer for use by scientific researchers.

It can also be used by nursing students who need to conduct dissections, or other NAC programs with a need for lab space.

Thomas said the lab could also function as a classroom.

She said the lab offers good counter, sink and storage space, but anyone using it would have to bring their own equipment.

"About 12 to 15 students could comfortably work there for a classroom project, while it would house around four to six for a science team and its equipment.

"I'm sure it will be used for other purposes, as programs with a science background continue to be established in Rankin.

"We're not talking geeky science here, but, rather, your basic biological sciences."

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