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Back in action

Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, August 18, 2010

RANKIN INLET - A pair of large fuel tanks at the Rankin Inlet tank farm have been repaired after suffering heavy wind damage earlier this month.

NNSL photo/graphic

Gale-force winds made short work of this fuel tank under construction at the Rankin Inlet tank farm earlier this month. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

Community and Government Services (C&GS) Assistant Deputy Minister Darren Flynn said wind gusts were much higher at the tank farm than in the community at the time of the damage.

He said centre poles and supports were being installed on one tank, and due to commence on the other, when the winds struck.

"Environment Canada recorded the wind gusts at 85 km/h in Rankin, but it's estimated they were gusting well over 100 km/h at the tank farm," said Flynn.

"Had the centre poles already been in, both tanks would have been capped with plate steel and, essentially, completed before the wind struck.

"If I had to speculate, I'd say they were about five days from completion when the winds came up and, being perched on the hill like that, they gave in to the mounting wind pressure and folded."

The new additions at the tank farm will raise its storage capacity to 29.5-million litres from its previous 14.5 million.

The tanks remain the contractor's property until completed and signed over to the Government of Nunavut.

Flynn said the government plans community fuel capacity for 20year periods.

He said based on the projection of sales, C&GS has seen in Rankin, it's making sure the tank farm can meet the growing needs of the hamlet.

"There was nobody hurt during the tank collapse and that's always the most important thing.

"Inukshuk Construction worked with insurance adjusters and site inspectors to assess what portions of the tanks were damaged beyond repair and, also, came up with a plan to utilize existing steel onsite, along with steel it flew in, to restore the tanks to their proper condition.

"The damaged tanks were dedicated to diesel fuel, but we have more than enough capacity with what's been completed - and already exists onsite - to handle this year's requirements with no problem whatsoever.

"So this will not result in any impact to the community's fuel requirements, and I'm confident the delay will be minimized as much as possible in completing the tank farm."

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