New building in the works for Tukisigiarvik

David Wilman, executive director of the Iqaluit Tukisigiarvik Society, told councillors on Feb. 13 that a new building is in the works for the society’s healing centre. (PHOTO BY BETH BROWN)

Iqaluit’s Tukisigiarvik Society may get the new home it needs before its current building is demolished this summer, its executive director told Iqaluit city council this week.

That’s if all the paperwork pans out.

The cultural healing centre wants to relocate to Building 534 on the Road to Apex. The building is owned by the Government of Nunavut’s Department of Health, and used to serve as a mental health centre, Dave Wilman said at a council meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 13.

Wilman said the GN plans to give the space to the Tukisigiarvik Society, with the intention that a private developer will renovate the building, which was built around 1984 and hasn’t been used in many years.

The society would be required to repay the estimated renovation costs of $600,000 over seven to eight years.

The new building would double the space the society uses for cultural programs, wellness support and career-skill development.

“This is not yet signed, sealed and delivered,” but the plans look promising, Wilman told councillors.

“Tukisigiarvik is going to lose its building this year in August, we’re actually on a one year extension of the lease right now,” he said. “We still need to find another place.”

A new hotel will be constructed on the site where the society’s small white-and-green building now sits across from the Tammaativvik boarding home.

The Tukisigiarvik Society helps many Iqalungmiut, including the homeless.

That’s why Wilman asked councillors if the City would defer the existing funding it gives to the society into the coming fiscal year, and allow those funds to be used for renovations instead of for programming.

Funding given to Tukisigiarvik through the City almost doubled last year, from about $130,000 to about $240,000, thanks to the federal government’s Homelessness Partnership Strategy.

Wilman said that the society should be able to save $70,000 or $80,000 of that funding to go towards renovations next year.

Council saw no issue with allowing the funds to be deferred and reallocated.

“It’s very much needed money in this community. I‘ve seen a lot of good use of the centre,” Coun. Joanasie Akumlalik said.

“It’s a request that demands our immediate approval,” Coun. Simon Nattaq said.

Four years ago, the GN looked at renovating Building 534 for the society, but that plan was abandoned when a price estimate was done, Wilman said.

Now, the GN is offering to pay the society the $85,000 annually it is currently covering in free rent, along with some added funds for insurance and a land lease.

In June, the society received a grant of $15,000 from Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, when the royal couple visited Iqaluit.

The society was also recently awarded a grant of $25,000 by the Correctional Services of Canada, Wilman said.

“We’re able to put quite a lot of our own money into it,” Wilman said. “With the City’s funding we should be able to put in about $100,000 this year towards the renovation costs of the building.”

Deputy Mayor Romeyn Stevenson wished the society the best as it works to secure a new location.

“The organization does very visible and fantastic work. I really hope that this solution works out,” he said. “You guys deserve a place that is downtown and able to be accessed by the people who need to access your services.”