INUVIK
Four more of of Inuvik's near-original buildings on Veterans Way were demolished on Nov. 20.

James Firth looks on as more Inuvik history comes tumbling down. Four GNWT buildings on Veterans Way dating back to around 1958 were demolished Nov. 20 after they were declared surplus. - Shawn Giilck/NNSL photo

The buildings had been declared surplus, said James Firth, who was helping to supervise the work.

Firth said he believed the buildings dated back to 1958 or 1959, when some of the first permanent structures in Inuvik were being erected.

"They're original," he said. "But they're just surplus buildings now, and the government doesn't need them anymore."

Many residents who were training to be carpenters worked on the buildings, he added, learning their trade the hands-on way.

Most of the structures were still in sound shape, Firth said. Some hazardous materials, including asbestos, had been removed before the wreckers moved in.

One of the buildings used to be the dance hall, he reminisced, taking the Inuvik Drum on a quick tour of the inside of the structure where he remembered parties being held.

Touchingly, there was an old inscription carved into one one of the walls reading "T.W. (hearts) L.W."

Firth said he was quite sure he knew who the carving referred to, although he didn't want to ruin the mystery.

He added with a wink, though, that most long-time residents will be able to figure it out quite quickly.

The buildings haven't seen much use in recent years, and have mostly stood empty.

For a short time, cadets used one of buildings for storage.

At one time, before the new Aurora campus was built, at least one of the buildings was used by the college.

The site, located across from the NWT Power Corporation plant and next to the GWNT building, has become better known as a location where some homeless people would squat, both inside and underneath.

That meant a thorough inspection had to be carried out before the demolition work began.

Firth said they had to ensure that no one had managed to get into the structures, which are also popular hangouts for youth.

The razing of the site, which hadn't been publicly announced, attracted next to no spectators, unlike what was the case when some of the other original buildings in town, such as Sir Alexander Mackenzie School and its counterpart Samuel Hearne, were taken down over the last two years.

Firth said he anticipated the demolition would be complete within a day.

It would take longer to haul the debris away afterwards, he said.

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