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Jennifer Obleman
Monday, September 10, 2007
New ship to improve sealift services
A new vessel could soon be sailing the Arctic, bringing supplies to residents of Nunavut and it's called the Rosaire A. Desgagnes.
This summer, Groupe Desgagnes, a Quebec-based marine carrier that partners with Arctic Co-operatives Ltd. to provide sealift services to Nunavut through Nunavut Sealink and Supply Inc., purchased a new ship.
The Beluga F-240 has a freight capacity of 20,000 cubic metres, is equipped with two cranes, rated Ice Class 1A, and has a steaming speed of 15.5 knots.
At the christening ceremony, Desgagnes chief executive officer Louis-Marie Beaulieu called it a milestone in Northern marine transportation and said it would greatly improve sealift services to Northern communities.
Under new management
Deline/Fort Franklin - James and Mary Jane Serrano have joined the flock at the Grey Goose Lodge.
Originally from the Philippines, the couple came to Deline from Toronto to work at the Northern for a year.
Now James is the manager at the Grey Goose Lodge and Mary Jane is the office manager.
"The community is really happy with them. They're such nice people and very welcoming. I think it was a perfect decision to have them come on board as our new management team," said business manager Martyann Kenny.
"We're looking forward to good service and the consistency we'll have at the lodge."
Co-op celebrates 41 years
Kugaaruk/Pelly Bay - There were games and giveaways galore in Kugaaruk on the long weekend as the Koomiut Co-op marked its 41st anniversary.
"It was just something fun for the community," said board member Lutgarde Angutingunirk.
"The people in the community really liked it."
The festivities included a call-in radio show complete with Co-op trivia for all ages as well as an evening of Inuit games in the community gym. About 250 people participated in the celebrations.
Busy building season
Construction is kicking into high gear in Iglulik, according to economic development officer Carroll Macintyre.
Plans are in place for two new five-plexes, an extended health care unit, a new church, and an expansion to the Northern store.
"We're going to have a heavy few years here in Iglulik," explained Macintyre.
"We need to train tradespeople so that we can employ as many of our own people as possible on these projects."
Construction materials arrived on the sealift Sept. 1 and more are expected before freeze-up.
New power plant
Construction will wrap up this fall on Aklavik's new power plant.
The project began in spring 2006, when gravel was hauled in and laid on the site.
The plant was pre-built and tested in Edmonton before being shipped to Aklavik in July.
K and D Contracting will finish the project in the weeks ahead and the plant will be operational this fall.
The cost of the project has yet to be determined, said Vaughan Slade, NWT Power Corporation's communications co-ordinator.
"It is difficult to say what the cost of the power plant will be.
The cost of the plant is currently in front of the Public Utilities Board as part of the General Rate Application," said Slade.
Forestry workers take safety training
Eight men became certified tree fallers following a five-day certification course in Fort Liard in August.
The course was hosted by Wolfe Trail Slashing and funded by Industry, Tourism and Investment.
Floyd Diamond-C, who owns Wolfe Trail Slashing, said the new standard will help make the industry safer.
"It's very dangerous work if you're not being safe," he said.
He also noted the certification will allow the company to bid on more contracts in British Columbia and Alberta.
-Roxanna Thompson