The Qikiqtani Inuit Association has announced the launch of a new child care facility in Arctic Bay.
"It's a cornerstone for the community of Arctic Bay," says Jeremy Tunraluk, chair of the board of directors at Kakivak Association. "It will be accommodating quite a few children... at the same time, it be providing employment opportunities to parents. The daycare has helped us work with the community directly. It's very important to have [a daycare] for when the parents are out working... there is no child care centre right now.
"It was Gail Redpath who took charge the last few years... her help has been phenomenal," Tunraluk added. "We're working really closely with the lands officer... we're very excited. This is a longtime project that will really help the community."
A similar facility is currently being constructed in Sanirajak. These two child care centres are realizations of an Oct. 3, 2023, announcement when the Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA) board of directors passed a resolution to co-invest in the construction of three new child-care facilities in Sanirajak, Arctic Bay, and Pond Inlet.
This total investment for the Arctic Bay project is $14 million, to be spent between 2024 and 2027. The funding includes $5 million from the federal Indigenous Community Infrastructure Fund with an additional $9 million allocated from KakivakSA国际影视传媒檚 Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care program.
On Oct. 10, 2024, the QIA board of directors approved the total project budget, as well as naming NCC Development as the company contracted for the construction of the Arctic Bay facility. Concentric Engineering has also been retained to provide design and construction administration services.
The Arctic Bay child-care facility will follow the same model as the Sanirajak facility, ensuring consistency. A 50-year land lease has been secured, and NCC Development has submitted a proposal for construction.
The new Arctic Bay facility will be 5403 square feet (502 square metres) with an attached 2,055 square foot (191-square-metre) deck. It will have two classrooms, each accommodating 16 preschoolers, an infant activity area with connected washrooms and change rooms, and an infant sleep area for 12 youngsters. The facilitySA国际影视传媒檚 central hub will house a kitchen, laundry, storage, and accessible washrooms, along with staff offices and a meeting area.
SA国际影视传媒淭his facility represents more than just a building SA国际影视传媒� itSA国际影视传媒檚 a cornerstone for the future of our children and communities,SA国际影视传媒� says Tunraluk. SA国际影视传媒淲e are proud to support Arctic Bay in building a nurturing, educational space that will benefit the entire community for generations to come.SA国际影视传媒�
