Non-profit has high hopes to build hotel
Profits will help cover costs of important programs in Clyde River
Myles Dolphin
Northern News Services
Published Monday, October 21, 2013
KANGIQTUGAAPIK/CLYDE RIVER
A non-profit organization in Clyde River is hoping its business arm can generate badly needed funds to keep important programs running.
The Illisaqsivik Society, an organization promoting health and wellness programs in the community, is finally moving ahead with its project of building an accommodation facility in the hamlet.
When the society launched a for-profit arm called Tukumaaq Inc. in 2011, it had the intention of creating a funding base and pursuing projects such as film contracts and building a hotel.
This year, the society finally has the funding it needs to begin the project, which would see the construction of an 18-bed facility by the spring of 2015.
Executive director Jakob Gearheard said there has been a strong demand for a second hotel-type facility in Clyde River for more than five years.
"There is a hotel in the community but it has been overflowing for a long time," he said.
"The whole reason Illisaqsivik Society is investing in this project is to make money for the organization. Hopefully Tukumaaq Inc. can make some money with this hotel and the profits will be re-invested directly back into Illisaqsivik, to pay for our wellness programming."
Almost all of the funding for the organization is project-based, meaning funds come on an annual basis and there is a distinct lack of financial stability.
Gearheard said any change in politics or policy direction can threaten the funding for the society, and the profits from a hotel would help offset the potential loss of certain programs and staff every year.
"We're trying to stabilize that a bit and diversify our funding so we're less reliant on other people to make our programs run," he said.
"It won't pay for all our projects but hopefully we can invest some money. At least it'll allow us to get some projects funded and cover some of our core operational costs."
The new facility, to be located in the middle of the community, is currently being designed by an architectural firm but the final configuration is still up in the air.
It will feature a combination of single and double rooms, alleviating the need for guests to stay with other residents in town, including Gearheard.
"I got a call yesterday and one today from people looking for places to stay," he said.
"The hotel in town only has about six rooms and it's been full for a long time."
The total cost of the building will be just under $3 million, with financing already in place from a variety of sources.
The final drawings should be completed by mid-December, with a request for proposals put out by January and a contractor expected to be chosen by the end of that month.
Gearheard hopes construction can begin by fall 2014, with a grand opening slated for early spring 2015.
"It took us a while to get the financing in place but we're at a point where the business plan is done and it has shown there is definitely room for another hotel in Clyde River," he said.
A name has yet to be chosen for the facility.
