INUVIK - The ground was broken Monday on Aurora College's new $11-million research facility to replace the more than 40-year-old Aurora Research Institute (ARI).

A small gathering of dignitaries, including Premier Floyd Roland, IRC chair and CEO Nellie Cournoyea and Aurora College's president Sarah Wright Cardinal as well as college and research institute staff, celebrated the monumental day. Part of Monday's celebration included an official site blessing from elders Winston Moses and Rosie Albert.

Several dignitaries took part in Monday's groundbreaking ceremony for the Western Arctic Research Centre. From left, are Nellie Cournoyea, Helen Sullivan, Robert McLeod, Mary Ann Ross, Floyd Roland, Sarah Wright Cardinal and Denny Rodgers. - Andrew Rankin NNSL photo

The plan for a new research centre was developed and came to fruition with the help from its partners the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation as well as the Gwich'in Tribal Council. The money came from the Arctic Research Infrastructure Fund.

The new facility is being built behind the research institute on Mackenzie Road. So far only site preparation work has been done on the location. Construction is expected to be finished next March.

Pippa Seccombe-Hett, director of the Aurora Research Institute, said the new building will be a badly-needed upgrade to the current research institute.

"Basically it will improve the services we can offer to visiting researchers and it will improve the science that can be done."

Seccombe-Hett also said that unlike the current outdated facility, the new centre can accommodate any research team. The institute licenses all scientific research in the territory and supports researchers visiting Inuvik or Fort Smith, whose studies focus on such areas as permafrost, hydrocarbons, wildlife and social sciences.

The energy efficient centre will boast three new laboratories that can be adapted into classrooms. It offers plenty of other facilities, including a walk-in freezer and lab support room.

There will also be lots of conference space dedicated to interactive research presentations designed for community participation.

The facility will also boast a warm storage area with an adjoining workshop, which Seccombe-Hett added is much needed.

Premier Floyd Roland, MLA for Inuvik Boot Lake, said he hopes governments can work together to strengthen local research.

"Hopefully we can grow some roots in this community and this means we can do more research out of our community," he said.

Seccombe-Hett said she's excited about what the facility can bring to the Delta area.

"We want to make this centre as welcoming and as open to the community as possible. It's exciting. We did it."