SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
The new $15.6 million office building for the Union of Northern Workers is starting to approach the finish line and tenants are getting ready to move in.

Todd Parsons, president of the Union of Northern Workers, stands in a meeting room at the new five-story office building being constructed on 53 Street. It is expected to begin occupancy Feb. 1. - Karen K. Ho/NNSL photo

During a tour of the five-storey office tower, carpet was already being installed on the top floor.

UNW president Todd Parsons said a majority of the occupancy is expected to take place Feb. 1.

"That could be a week before, a week after," he said. "Right now, we're maintaining our construction schedule."

The building is set to house the offices of the Union of Northern Workers, the Public Service Alliance of Canada, the Northern Territories Federation of Labour and Stantec. Clark Builders has been hired to be the construction company.

Parsons said approximately 80 to 100 people are expected to work in the building with Stantec being the first tenant to move in due to its adjacent building on the property.

"Stantec will move out of the existing location, move into the building sometime the last week of January," he said. "Then we'll start demolition of the old Stantec facility. And then we'll see the UNW move in."

Parsons said the Public Service Alliance of Canada will follow and the Northern Territories Federation of Labour will move in after that.

"We're giving them flexibility," he said, adding that it would be no later than June or July. "They have leases right now so they need to resolve any lease concerns they have before they move in with us."

Parsons said the building houses many amenities, including kitchens, meeting rooms, a small gym, in-floor heating, a coffee nook and lake views. He also said it was 100 per cent leased before a construction company was hired.

"We had long-term leases in place before we decided what size of building to construct," he said.

Plans modified after ground broken

However, once construction did start Parsons said the decision was made to include a 2,500 square foot addition on the building for future expansion.

"We decided to go ahead during the time of construction because it was about one-third of the cost to do it today rather than in the future," he said.

Parsons said part of the building plans including training facilities that will be available for a fee or no-cost to non-profit or community groups.

"We want the community in here and involved," he said.

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