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IKALUKTUTIAK/CAMBRIDGE BAY
The search is on for architects and engineers to design the new High Arctic research station in Cambridge Bay.

The federal government has issued a request for proposals on Sept. 20 for architectural and engineering-design services for the facility, which is set to open in 2017. The RFP closes Oct. 26.

The competitive process happens in two stages. In the first stage, firms are evaluated, and in the second the conceptual approaches for the design are put under the microscope.

The multi-disciplinary facility will house research labs, training facilities as well as centres for technology development and traditional knowledge. Its mandate includes sovereignty, protecting the Arctic eco-system and developing the Northern economy.

Jim MacEachern, an advisor to the Canadian High Arctic Research Centre (CHARS) steering committee, said the community does not have any demands on what the future facility will look like.

He added a final design is probably a year away.

The federal government has set aside $18 million for the design phase of the $80 million project.

"They the (federal government) haven't decided whether it's going to be a single facility or multiple facilities," he said.

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