Emergency Shelter Construction & Material Supply

Canol Trail Mile 50, 75, 100, NT

Project Overview
This project involved the supply of all labour and materials to construct emergency shelters at three locations (Mile 50, 75, 100) on the Canol Trail, NT. The shelters were constructed using Structural Insulated Panels (SIP) which were transported along with all tools and equipment using a combination of helicopters with slings and float planes.
These shelters were constructed by an experienced wilderness construction carpentry crew that completed the work in 10 days per shelter with no rework or deficiencies.
During the planning phase, NIC identified several potential issues with missing fasteners, limited window consumable, and missing spray foam insulation. Extra parts/consumables were purchase and brought to site by NIC to mitigate the consumable shortages. NIC identified an opportunity to utilize left-over metal to armour the outhouse base which was done as a no-cost design upgrade.
Construction Type: Government/Institutional
Client: Government of Northwest Territories, ITI
Completion Date: 2023
Contract Value: $0.5 million
Challenges
  • The extreme remote nature of this project necessitated the use of helicopter and float plane transportation for all project resources.
  • Bulky nature of the building material required extensive planning and communication to optimize packaging to obtain acceptable weight, balance, and aerodynamic load characteristics.
  • Detailed pre-planning and material management to ensure all building components are accounted for.

Northwest Territories Welcome Facility

Liard Highway, BC/NWT Border

Project Overview
The construction of the Northwest Territories Welcome Facility involved a unique structure using several different building materials. The primary structure was erected using galvanized steel columns and beams on a concrete slab. The exterior walls were constructed using stone filled gabion baskets which were stacked from ground to roof level. The project also involved the supply and installation of a 30,000lb precast concrete septic tank.
This project was multidisciplinary in nature involving earthworks, concrete, steel framing, and relying heavily on carpentry skills.
Construction Type: Government/Institutional
Client: Government of the Northwest Territories
Completion Date: 2020
Contract Value: $0.4 million
Challenges
  • Delivery challenges related to road closures due to COVID-19 which isolated the project site.
  • Unique structure which required the integration of various building materials at interface locations.

10 Unit Wellness Centre Renovation

Délı̨nę, NT

Project Overview
This design-build project completed by NIC required a complete renovation of a vacant 10 unit seniors wellness center in Délı̨nę originally constructed in the 1990’s. NIC’s design-build team managed design, demolition, abatement, and construction. The demolition phase in each of the 10 units involved the removal of all interior finishes (drywall, flooring, windows, doors, etc.) back to the structural framing. The reconstruction work included new insulation, interior finishes, doors, windows, and the addition of a covered entrance for each unit. To accelerate the schedule, spray foam insulation was used to provide insulation as well as the air and vapour barrier.
The crew on this project was over 50% local which maximized economic benefit to the community and reduced the project cost to the client.
Construction Type: Government/Institutional
Client: Délı̨nę Got’ine Government
Completion Date: 2024
Contract Value: $1.9 million
Challenges
  • Winter road transportation requirements.
  • Existing building conditions which were partially unknown at time of project commencement.

Structural Insulated Panel Projects

Délı̨nę, NT

Project Overview
NIC provided construction management and on-site carpentry supervision to assist local crews in Délı̨nę to complete multiple buildings constructed from structural insulated panels. The projects consisted of two duplex buildings as well as an addition to the main Délı̨nę office building. These structures had been started and partially constructed before NIC’s engagement on the project, therefore it was necessary to ascertain the state of construction and building materials before work could be advanced.
Nadji Architects was engaged to develop drawings and obtain fire marshal approval for the office building.
NIC has been successful at working with DGG to maximize the use of local forces used to complete these construction projects.
Construction Type: Government/Institutional
Client: Délı̨nę Got’ine Government
Completion Date: 2021
Contract Value: $2.8 million
Challenges
  • Winter road transportation requirements.
  • Existing building conditions and material delivery status which were partially unknown at time of project commencement.

Junior Kindergarten Playground Installations

22 NWT Communities

Project Overview
This project spanned over 25 schools in 22 communities throughout the Northwest Territories. The scope of work at each location involved the removal of existing play structures, the supply and installation of new playground structures complete with granular material and rubberized safety ground surfacing. The management of logistics and diligent planning was imperative to the success of this project. NIC utilized winter roads, plane/helicopter air transport, and barging for material, equipment, and tool deliveries.
Construction Type: Government/Institutional
Client: GNWT Department of Infrastructure
Completion Date: 2020
Contract Value: $4.1 million
Challenges
  • Winter road, barge, and air transportation requirements.
  • Detailed pre-planning and material management to ensure all building components are accounted for prior to sealift transport.
  • The effective management of multiple simultaneous construction operations in different Northern communities.

Nattilik Heritage Centre Expansion

Gjoa Haven, NU

Project Overview
The Nattilik Heritage Centre (NHC) Expansion is a multi-year design-build, construction project in Gjoa Haven, Nunavut that is to be completed in 2025. Construction of the NHC expansion involves the addition of 5500 ft2 area to the original NHC which was opened in 2013. The expansion has an octagonal floor plan and is constructed using a Triodetic foundation and combination of structural steel and wood framing. The facility will have state of the art HVAC system with humidity controls designed to preserve the recovered artifacts.
The project has various stakeholders, which includes the Nattilik Heritage Society (NHS), in partnership with the Kitikmeot Inuit Association, Four Peaks Consulting Corp, Parks Canada, Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and the Government of Nunavut. The Expansion is designed to house priceless artifacts recovered from the Franklin Expeditions and it’s meant to illustrate and preserve the local culture and heritage of the Inuit people with exhibits dedicated to their language, arts, crafts, and traditions.
The Nattilik Heritage Centre will see on average over 2000 tourists every season when the cruise ships arrive, but the Expansion is expected to significantly increase the number visitors. During the off-season, the building will serve as functional space for the NHS staff, where language, arts and craft workshops can take place.
Media

Construction Type: Design-Build
Client: Nattilik Heritage Society
Completion Date: (est. Mar 2025)
Contract Value: $8.2 million

Challenges
  • Staging and marine crating of the material prior to transport to site via sealift.
  • Detailed pre-planning and material management to ensure all building components are accounted for prior to sealift transport.
  • Short seasonal construction window.
  • Intensive crew logistic planning and coordination.
  • Building tie in and connection to an existing facility.
  • Maintenance of suitable temperature and humidity conditions in the existing NHC during tie in operations.

Délı̨nę Tudzé Perįhtł’ékǫ Daycare and Preschool Design-Build

Délı̨nę, NT

Project Overview
Starting in December 2019, Northern Industrial Construction led the design-build team to complete an accelerated design for a new 3,775 ft2 daycare and preschool in Délı̨nę, NT. The design process started out as a ‘napkin sketch’ in mid December 2019 and was quickly developed such that material procurement could be completed in time to send materials to site on the 2020 winter road.
In order to meet the stringent requirements of this compressed schedule, effective coordination was required with the designer and client. Procurement lead times were updated daily on the pre-construction schedule and decisions were prioritized to ensure that all the material was selected and ordered with sufficient lead-time to ship on the winter road.
Construction began in spring 2020 requiring management staff and field personnel to execute the unique architectural and functional requirements of this facility. The building was enclosed in summer 2020 with mechanical, electrical, and interior finishes over the fall/winter of 2020-2021. The project was finished in late 2021.
Local training and employment were a priority on this project and NIC’s carpentry crew was comprised of over 50% local carpenters, labourers, and apprentices.
Construction Type: Government/Institutional
Client: Délı̨nę Got’ine Government
Completion Date: 2021
Contract Value: $6.0 million
Challenges
  • Design finalization activities completed concurrently with material procurement.
  • Winter road transportation requirements.
  • Short seasonal construction window.
  • Unique floorplan and exterior cladding requiring innovative construction details.
Challenges