New air terminal buildings open in Whale Cove, Kugluktuk and Naujaat
Ceremonies mark completion of $43M infrastructure upgrades in 3 communities
Community and Government Services Minister David Joanasie, second from left, is joined for a ceremony at the Whale Cove airport by Health Minister John Main, in a sealskin vest, and Whale Cove Mayor Oliver Shipton, to Main’s right. David Akeeagok, minister of community services, cuts the ribbon alongside local children and community members during the official opening of the new air terminal building there on Thursday. (Photo courtesy of Ron Elliott)
Updated June 21 at 1:20p.m. ET
There were celebrations across Nunavut this week with the opening of three new air terminal buildings in Naujaat, Whale Cove and Kugluktuk.
A ceremony took place Friday in Kugluktuk, following events Wednesday in Naujaat and Whale Cove on Thursday.
“These new terminals make our communities stronger,” said David Joanasie, Nunavut’s minister of transportation and infrastructure, in a news release Wednesday.
“Airports secure our access to essential goods and services and act as lifelines for our communities.”
The terminal in Kugluktuk was completed at a cost of approximately $17.3 million, while the Naujaat and Whale Cove buildings each cost about $12.9 million.
All three projects were funded jointly by the Government of Nunavut and Transport Canada.
The new facilities are designed to meet long-term operational and accessibility needs and replace aging terminals that were at or beyond the end of their service lives, said Greg Belanger, spokesperson for Transportation and Infrastructure Nunavut, in an email to Nunatsiaq News.
Each building features expanded interior space, improved layouts and accessibility, and upgraded infrastructure to better support both passengers and airport operations.
A key feature of the new terminals is the addition of backup generators capable of supplying power to the terminal buildings, runways and airfield lighting in the event of extended power outages, Belanger said.
The new terminals are part of a six-community air terminal renewal program. Similar buildings in Chesterfield Inlet and Kimmirut were completed earlier this year, and a new $85-million terminal in Rankin Inlet is expected to open later in 2025, the news release said.
Note: The photo caption was updated to correct David Akeeagok’s title in cabinet.
Thanks to previous Government for making this happen! As for the photo ops (too many ministers), perfect time to campaign! Good luck guys!
Why is there minister of health there
He represents the riding, as Tikirarjuaq is the other part of his Arviat North constituency.
Will the new terminal in Rankin ever open? Or will we just stare at the empty new building until forever?
When that happens just sitting there
It must have some defects that need to be ironed out
That 85 milion should have been atleast split with Arviat to get a new terminal airport too. When will arviat ever get a new one too, I bet 0.
Over priced airport
Wow $85 million
The contractor could of made 4 at that price
Looking forward to seeing a new Government this fall; one that works as a team and is not dysfunctional. So tired of photo ops and wasting so much on unnecessary travels.
These airports have a hidden secret, there’s sensors built in to them for Norad, to monitor any activity but I still feel we could have gotten a better deal at Teemu….