College residence transformed into athletes’ village

KIRSTEN MURPHY

The smell of fresh paint fills the foyer of Arctic College’s Nunatta residence in Iqaluit.

The process of transforming the residence into an athletes’ village began just last week – with only two weeks before the Games begin.

Assistant residential manager Russel Dulos predicts compact living conditions during the March 17 to 23 event. “They will be like sardines,” he says with a chuckle.

More than 900 participants — including athletes, coaches and cultural performers — from nine circumpolar regions will be staying at the residence. At the moment, however, the building is home to just 47 Arctic College students.

What this means is that, during the Games, between four and 18 people will be crammed into each unit. Competition for bathrooms and showers be tight, with 900 sweaty people lining up for fewer than 100 shower stalls and sinks.

The faded, shredded carpet that runs throughout the building is being replaced but not until the Games are over. The decision was released in the form of a memo on Feb. 22.

“We need at least eight days to do the carpeting. Instead of having all those fumes while the contractors are coming in and out, we’ll do the carpeting after the Games,” said Maegan Power, AWG host society operations manager.

Most AWG participants are between the ages of 13 and 18 — and chances are they’re not expecting room service or chocolates on their pillows (in fact athletes must pack their own pillows).

Organizers won’t disclose the price of creating the athletes’ village — modest as it is. But the cost includes painting the walls, re-carpeting the floors and installing 571 bunk beds in 55 rooms.

A catering team is coming from Edmonton to run the cafeteria. An extra person was hired to wash dishes after organizers decided to use real plates and cutlery instead of plastic and paper.

In addition, about a dozen college students are being flown home to make room for the incoming participants. Only 15 or 20 residents have classes continuing in April; the rest are finished by March 8. The flights home are being covered under an arrangement between the college and the department of education.

Nathan Tigullaraq of Pond Inlet is graduating from Arctic College’s environmental technology program in May. He knew he had to vacate his room for AWG athletes in November. A fan of Arctic sports, though, Tigullaraq hoped to stick around.

“I’d rather stay and watch, but I don’t have a place to stay,” he said.

Tigullaraq said he’ll spend his time in Pond Inlet visiting with family and friends, and hunting.

Joy Taaffe, director of student services for Arctic College, declined to estimate what the total flight costs are, but said students won’t be paying.

“Why should they pay for it? It wasn’t their idea to have the residence turned into the athletes’ village,” Taaffe said.

The athletes’ village officially opens on Saturday, March 16. By that time, all the extras will be in place: an Internet cafe with 10 computers, a medical clinic with first aid service and a massage therapist, an athlete’s lounge with televisions and a ping pong table, and a concierge desk with postal service.

“It’s a one-stop spot for athletes,” Power said.