Iceberg-shaped centre constructed
New building next to Auyuittuq National Park will house Parks Canada office once interior is finished
Myles Dolphin
Northern News Services
Published Monday, March 10, 2014
QIKIQTARJUAQ/BROUGHTON ISLAND
The construction of Qikiqtarjuaq's long-awaited gathering centre is finally completed.
Builders initially broke ground at the site last Sept. 3 and anticipate the building will be operational early next year.
Construction of Qikiqtarjuaq's new gathering centre was completed on March 5 and the building will soon be used by tourists and community members. Work on the interior furnishings and displays has yet to be completed. - photo courtesy of Mike Cook |
"For a community that sees a change in landscape every season with the coming and going of icebergs, there is one iceberg in town that will not leave, even with global warming," stated NCC Development Limited vice-president Clarence Synard in a news release, referring to the building's resemblance to an iceberg.
"The unique design of this building was a dream of the planning committee and now it has become a reality."
The new centre is a starting point for visitors exploring Auyuittuq National Park and is a place where elders can gather and teach residents and tourists alike about culture, wildlife, land and people of the region.
The building, originally conceived in 2002, overlooks the water across from the Inuksuit School and was completed simultaneously with two other community projects in Rankin Inlet and Kugluktuk.
"The timing of completion for this project was in line with the completion of the new Atuqtuarvik building in Rankin Inlet and next week will mark the completion of the new ulu-shaped visitor centre in Kugluktuk," Synard wrote.
"Three amazing projects in all three regions of the North starting and finishing at the same time and all having positive impacts in their respective communities."
An estimated $2.5 million - phased over three years - will be invested in the project, which will house the new Parks Canada office, as well as the hamlet's tourism co-ordinator, who will be hired following the start of the new fiscal year.
Construction of interpretive cultural displays, as well as exterior landscaping, will take place later this year, according to Mike Cook, a consultant involved with the project.
Synard said he showed the new building to Qikiqtarjuaq Mayor Mary Killiktee and senior administrative officer Daisy Nuqingaq, and their reactions "made us realize why we do what we do in the North."
"It's so beautiful in there," Killiktee said.
"The advisory group will meet once again to discuss the centre's interior. We're also in the process of requesting to have antique items found on Padloping and Durban Islands returned to the community so we can house them in the centre."
Cleanup efforts on the nearby islands are currently taking place and should be completed by the fall.
Synard also announced that NCC would be donating an additional $5,000 towards the grand opening ceremonies of the centre, to be held at an undetermined date, as well as another $5,000 towards furnishing the building.
