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Organization forced to move Inuvialuit Development Group divisions relocated after fire at building
Shawn Giilck
Northern News Services
Published Thursday, September 12, 2013
INUVIK
The closure of the Inuvialuit Development Group (IDG) building is having unexpected effects around Inuvik.
Denny Rodgers, the general manager of the Inuvialuit Development Group, says the fire-damaged building is likely to be closed for six months to one year due to water damage. - Shawn Giilck/NNSL photo
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The fire-damaged building is now expected to be closed for six months to one year, IDG general manager Denny Rodgers said. Most of that is due to water damage caused by firefighters working to contain the blaze on Aug. 26.
Some of the IDG divisions have set up shop in the vacant space in the Rexall building, while others have scattered around town.
The tenants of the building, who are looking for office space, are fortunate that there's an abundance to choose from right now, because of a high vacancy rate in Inuvik. Including the IDG, there are eight tenants. The building is 19,000 square feet.
Kevin MacKay, the general manager of Inuvik Gas, said the company's contingency plans had been put into place. Inuvik Gas is one of the main tenants of the building.
"IGL is affected by the fire and have made arrangements with New North Networks," MacKay said. "We are set up for customers to make bill payments. Our regular office and emergency numbers are still working.
"IGL has this type of event as part of our emergency response plan, continue the safe operation of the system and be available to respond to emergency calls while the building is being repaired."
Another tenant, the NWT Housing Corporation, was still hunting for space, said the organization's regional director Alana Mero. On Sept. 5, she was checking out some vacant office space across from NorthMart.
Rodgers said that's proof there's always opportunity to be had even under the worst of circumstances.
"I imagine Northern Properties are pretty happy right now," he said, referring to one of the biggest rental agencies in Inuvik.
He praised the fire department for its work putting out the fire in the early morning of Aug. 26, and said the water-related damage couldn't have been avoided with a fire in the top floor.
The actual fire damage was minimal, he said, but the water soaked through the walls and floors as it settled in the building. That means much of the drywall and insulation has to be checked, and the only way to do that is by tearing open the walls and ceiling to inspect it.
At the moment, Rodgers said the contractors are busy trying to dry out the building. That chore is being made tougher by wet weather.
Once it dries out properly, another round of inspections should be able to establish the full extent of the damage, Rodgers said.
There is no final word on what the damages will total up to, he said. Insurance adjusters and contractors are still surveying and assessing the building. The situation, he said, literally changes by the hour.
Rodgers said there was no mold problem, despite the signs that were posted on the building. Those notices were a pre-emptive move because mold tends to form 10 to 12 days after water gets into a building.
An inspection during this past weekend turned up no evidence of mold, meaning work on the building can continue.
The IDG building is fully insured, Rodgers added.
It was built in 1989 and renovated extensively 12 years ago.
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