New men’s shelter in Pond Inlet could be ready by summer 2024

Hamlet receives federal funding for project, and to complete its new wellness centre

Nearly two dozen ambassadors from countries around the world made a stop at Pond Inlet, shown here, during their Northern 2023 tour that also took them to several northern communities including Cambridge Bay. (Photo by David Venn)

By David Lochead

Pond Inlet is set to get a new men’s shelter.

The federal government announced in a news release Tuesday it is providing more than $2 million to help cover the cost for the men’s shelter as well as money to help finish a wellness centre in the hamlet. Nunatsiaq News reported the money for the wellness centre in January.

“It’s going to be great, that’s for sure,” the hamlet’s chief administrative officer David Stockley told Nunatsiaq News.

“The men’s shelter is really needed.”

The men’s shelter will be housed in an existing building in Pond Inlet. It will get a number of upgrades, including plumbing, heating, windows, roofing, washrooms and kitchen, according to the news release.

Approximately $1.5 million is earmarked for the men’s shelter, which will provide a “safe haven” for men to heal. It will include space for on-the-land activities and counselling from elders.

Counselling will also be available via telehealth, Stockley said, adding this will ensure people seeking help will be able to stick with the same counsellor for an extended period of time.

“[Changing counsellors] is a major problem. You’ve got to tell your life story over and over,” Stockley said.

Construction materials for the shelter are scheduled to arrive on the next sealift, then construction is expected to last six to nine months.

The shelter should be ready by summer 2024, said Stockley.

The wellness centre will offer services help young mothers learn life skills through nutritional cooking classes, sewing and through counselling and interaction with elders.

It is located close to the shelter for women and girls, and is expected to be ready in 60 days, Stockley said.

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(2) Comments:

  1. Posted by YCO on

    Hope they get good workers for it the one in Kugluktuk never get workers

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  2. Posted by Ken on

    Its nice to see these new funding for such things from the Federal government.

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