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LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON - Despite hitting a setback the Fort Simpson Historical Society and the Open Sky Creative Society say both are still committed to the Heritage Centre project.

This summer the building was supposed to enter phase two of the project, which will turn the centre into a museum, gallery and gathering space.

Members of the Heritage Centre Society including, from left, Steven Rowan, Lisa Moore, Julia Tsetso, Rick Reath, Barb Tsetso and Martina Norwegian held a fundraiser chili luncheon on Sept. 13 to raise awareness about the heritage centre's museum project. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

Primarily the building required work to be done on the siding, windows and doors as well as the final stabilization of the inside was to be completed during the summer.

None of this work was started.

"We didn't get a lot done, as much as we thought we would," said Martina Norwegian, the president of the Fort Simpson Historical Society.

The delays started as the group waited for the bids to come in on the phase two tender.

In the end, only one bid was submitted and it was for double the amount expected. In 2006 the society estimated the work would cost $350,000. Norwegian wouldn't comment on the exact price quoted in the bid.

The unexpected cost hasn't deterred the two societies who are working together on the project. A third society, the Heritage Centre Society, has also been created from the original two to specifically focus on the project.

"There's no way we're going to give up just because of this delay," Norwegian said.

To date the project has advanced one third of the way towards completion, she said. The societies own the land and the building was donated. The interior design work for the centre has been completed and some of the materials and equipment for the interior have already been purchased and are waiting in storage.

Countless hours of volunteer work have gone into the project, said Norwegian. The societies plan to apply for more funding next year to meet the cost of phase two.

"We've done too much work now to quit, not to keep going," she said.

To raise awareness about the project and a bit of money the two societies held a fundraising chili luncheon in front of the building on Sept. 13.

"Everyone's in a positive frame of mind and looking forward to this year," said Julia Tsetso, the president of the Open Sky Creative Society.

Open Sky has also been facing challenges including staff shortages and financial constraints as they submit reports and wait for the funds to cover this year's Open Sky Festival.

Open Sky, however, is looking forward to the completion of the Heritage Centre because it will become the permanent home for the societies' artist-run gallery that's currently located in the basement of the former village office, Tsetso said.

"This will be the first place in the NWT to have an artist-run gallery space of their own," said Tsetso.