Iqaluit’s Pinnguaq Makerspace sets sight on new $10M home

Iqaluit’s Pinnguaq Makerspace is a happening place these days.

Whether it’s a papier mache planet-making exercise or a Minecraft camp, Pinnguaq’s headquarters in a two-storey office is usually filled with kids focused on learning about science and technology.

Participation in programs and events has regularly reached capacity, said Kent Driscoll, Pinnguaq’s director of communication, so the organization is setting its sights on building a newer, larger location.

Iqaluit’s planning and development committee voted July 16 in favour of granting Pinnguaq a development permit for a new headquarters on a vacant lot near the Road to Nowhere.

Final approval still needs to go through city council.

Driscoll said the organization is excited to set up shop in a home that would be four or five times the size of its current space.

“We’re going to have more space to be able to do more programming and serve more kids,” he said in an interview.

“It’s going to allow us to expand our scope of work.”

The new building would cost around $10 million, Driscoll estimates.

Some of the amenities would include new offices for Pinnguaq and other STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) start-up organizations.

There are also plans for new activity rooms, workshops, and outdoor spaces for artisans, allowing for more programming for kids and young adults.

Pinnguaq got its start in Nunavut 12 years ago and operates in 100 mostly remote locations across Canada.

With more space, staff and programming, Driscoll said the space would not only impact Iqaluit.

An artist’s rendering illustrates Pinnguaq’s proposed new Makerspace facility near the Road to Nowhere. (Photo courtesy of Pinnguaq)

“It’s also going to provide a great hub for us to continue our work out into other communities, because we’re the anchor community,” he said.

Driscoll said the hope is to have the new building ready by 2026.

After getting final approval from council, the plan is to have building materials shipped to Iqaluit and to raise money for the development.

Pinnguaq is looking for funding from various sources, including the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and the RBC Foundation.

“Nunavut’s home for Pinnguaq,” Driscoll said.

“We were founded here, we’ve expanded all over and now we’re looking to give back to the community.”