Doug Ashbury
Northern News Services

NNSL (May 10/99) - Nunavut Construction Corp. will combine two years of construction activity into one, NCC president Tagak Curley said.

NCC is the developer responsible for constructing additional offices and staff housing required by the new Nunavut government.

For the 1999-2000 construction program, Curley estimates the budget at about $50 million. The 1998-99 budget was about two-thirds that amount, he said.

NCC's largest project is Iqaluit's new legislature, estimated to cost about $11 million.

"Year three (1999-2000) will be the biggest. For year three we will proceed to build 104 residential units and seven office complexes," Curley said.

In all, NCC will build 250 residential units and 10 office complexes in 11 Nunavut communities (Kugluktuk, Cambridge Bay and Gjoa Haven in the Kitikmeot, Arviat, Baker Lake and Rankin Inlet in the Keewatin, and Iqaluit, Cape Dorset, Iglulik, Pond Inlet and Pangnirtung in the Baffin).

In the first year of what is now a three-year program, NCC completed 66 residential units. In the second year (1998-99), NCC completed an additional 80 housing units by the end of February 1999. These 80 units were started in July 1998.

By the end of April 1999, NCC will have completed three office complexes -- one each in Iqaluit, Arviat and Kugluktuk.

"We've built a strong local workforce."

Measured by community, work in Rankin is completed with Kugluktuk next to be finished once its office complex is done.

NCC deals with about 80 contractors. As well, there are numerous subcontractors.

At its peak so far, NCC employed about 280 people last summer. This summer, Curley said staff numbers will likely reach over 300 people.

"The majority are Northern, many are Inuit. The local employment (level) on all these projects is 75 per cent."

NCC also has a significant apprenticeship program. Last year, Curley said about 20 people were apprenticing with NCC. These apprentices are now studying in the classroom and once they complete the academic requirements they will be added to NCC's payroll.