The Town of Hay River has found more office space.
It will be leasing 1,589 square feet at the Wright Centre in space once occupied by Norland Insurance Agencies and most recently by the organizers of the Arctic Winter Games.
At its Sept. 25 meeting, council unanimously passed a motion to authorize town administration to enter into a lease agreement with Hay River Mobile Park Ltd. for three years plus two one-year renewal options for the space.
The annual lease rent will be $46,080.
"For this fiscal year, we have surpluses in our (operations and maintenance) budget and the annual rent will come from those surpluses," Judy Goucher, the town's senior administrative officer, told council. "For next year, this additional cost will have to be worked into the budget, and future years."
The new space will be in the same building which is already partially leased by the town.
The town offices moved to that location in April 2015 after air quality concerns forced the closure of the Town Hall in July 2014.
Late last week, Mayor Brad Mapes told The Hub that the future council will have to decide what to do about a permanent Town Hall.
"Realistically, I think everybody knows that the town probably is better to figure out some way that they can own their own building, but obviously right at the time being this is the best and most efficient option that we have," Mapes said of leasing.
Since the existing Town Hall was vacated, the development officer, civil technician and director of public works have not had permanent offices.
Interim accommodation for staff has been provided within existing town facilities.
In July, council authorized administration to seek quotes for between 1,200 and 1,500 square feet of office space.
Administration received responses to the formal request for quotes from two companies, including three options for consideration from one company. The responses were assessed based on price, location and timeline for occupancy.