Inuvik's Aurora Research Institute could soon be in possession of a new space for facilitating research, thanks to a $1.69 million award from Ottawa.
NWT MP Michael McLeod made the announcement that the ARI was awarded $1,686,897 through the Canada Foundation for InnovationSA国际影视传媒檚 (CFI) 2020 Innovation Fund on March 8.
"In the Northwest Territories, we know the research completed here provides valuable insights to both local residents and the wider scientific community," said McLeod. "Through this investment, the Government of Canada is ensuring the Western Arctic Research Centre (WARC) has the necessary infrastructure in place to allow researchers to continue their important work.
"I look forward to the research this announcement will make possible."
Intended to expand support for research at the Western Arctic Research Centre, the funding will be put towards a steel warehouse to provide space for cold storage as well as a heated loading bay, garage and workshop. The building will replace the current three garages in the lot at the Aurora Research Institute.
While the new warehouse is intended to help improve research capacity, it also will be used for training students and others to assist with research.
With the Covid-19 pandemic still in full force, research will likely be completed remotely again this summer, so the college is also hoping to use the new space to provide more training for Indigenous partners.
However, researchers will also be able to enter the territory if they can meet the GNWT's safety requirements.
Noting Aurora College is the only post-secondary institution to receive money under the grant in 2021, president Andy Bevan said the funding will help the school as it transitions into a polytechnic university.
Bevan added the grant was only the first step, as the college was still looking for fellow partners to cover the remaining costs of the facility. The funding announcement from Ottawa will cover 40 per cent of the costs.
