Yellowknife (Oct 15/04) - The new federal building being constructed on Franklin Avenue is well on its way to completion.

"We currently have 55 workers on site and are on schedule," said PCL site superintendent Allan Shortt.

"The piling took longer than expected, but we gained back the lost time."

According to Anne Pratt, regional communications manager for Public Works and Government Services Canada, the exterior of the building should be enclosed by November and ready for occupancy in the summer of 2005.

"Some exterior masonry work will be done next year due to winter weather but thanks to project planning and timing, the change in weather will not have an impact on the project," she said.

The west wing of the building is nearly finished and the east wing is over 50 per cent complete.

The installation of windows and exterior insulation is expected to be complete by November.

Construction began in September 2002, when the old Canadian Tire building was demolished. Public Works kept track of waste from the demolition, 90 per cent of which was recycled or re-used.

The construction crew also used fly ash from burned coal in the concrete mixture, reducing the amount of cement powder needed.

Shortt said the state-of-the-art building will use less fuel to heat it during the winter.

"We are building a 16 meter atrium which allows natural light to shine into the offices," he said.

"When we are finished, we will have constructed the second largest display of solar panels in the world."

The solar panels will run parallel to the atrium windows, catching the most daylight hours on the southern side of the building.

When the building is finished, it will hold 200 government workers and will be one of the most innovative buildings in Yellowknife, said Pratt.