Kugluktuk, Nunavut, opened three new community buildings, including its new water treatment facility and a six-bay garage for water and wastewater trucks.
The Government of Canada contributed $1,812,957 through the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund for the new water treatment plant, as well as $300,000 through the federal Gas Tax Fund for the six-bay garage.
Peter Taptuna, Premier, Nunavut MLA for Kugluktuk, said of the new infrastructure projects, “Through partnership at all levels, the Government of Nunavut is helping to build capacity in communities throughout the territory. The hamlet administration and residents of Kugluktuk should be commended for their use of resources and effective planning. What we see here today demonstrates how good ideas and teamwork help build communities.”
Together with local residents, the Honourable Peter Taptuna, Premier of Nunavut, and Ryan Nivingalok, Mayor of Kugluktuk, today marked the official opening of three new community buildings that will improve services, provide reliable access to clean drinking water and help protect the environment.
“We invested a lot of time and energy into research and planning for these projects to make the best use of funding, local contractors and other resources that were available in Kugluktuk. The benefit from this is that we have new facilities and renovated buildings that will serve our community for many years and we did it in a very cost-effective way,” said Ryan Nivingalok, Mayor, Kugluktuk.
The operation of the new water treatment plant was awarded to BI Pure Water in 2014. Consulting engineer for the project was Williams Engineering, and the contractor was NDL construction based in Winnipeg, Man. BI Pure Water has delivered other northern water treatment facilities, including in Baker Lake, Kugaaruk, Taloyoak and Chesterfield Inlet, as well as a Canadian Forces base.
In a statement released at the time its contract was awarded, BI Pure Water said, “Each of the treatment plants called for extraordinary insulation values. Taloyoak required consideration of social and environmental factors, with minimal impact on the fragile northern environment. Sustainable solar and wind are the primary energy sources for Taloyoak’s operation.” The plants put in place are designed to deliver up to 1,200 L/min, according to BI.
In addition to the water treatment facility and six-bay garage, a public works building was also constructed. Together, the facilities will help reduce the community’s operational costs and energy dependency and better support the delivery of services to the residents.
Photo, courtesy: Andrew Johnson.
