Paulatuk weighing options after design for community hall comes in $2M over budget

The Hamlet of Paulatuk is trying to find more money to build a community hall – saying their vision for the space is estimated to cost considerably more than what the federal government committed to the project back in 2022.

The Arctic community of about 360 people on the shores of Darnley Bay in the N.W.T. doesn’t have a designated hall of its own. Instead, the hamlet and Angik School share the community gym for events.

Angela Ruben, the hamlet’s recreation coordinator, is very familiar with the gym. It’s the only space she has available to host bigger gatherings like jamborees, celebrations and Christmas parties.

Late last month she organized a Halloween party that drew a few dozen costumed residents out for candy, games, and chances to win Northern store gift cards. There was enough room for everyone – but Ruben said that isn’t always the case. 

“Jamboree? It’s packed,” said Ruben. Gesturing to a clear wall that connects the gym to an entry space where people can leave coats and shoes, she said, “there’s even people standing behind the glass, so hopefully there’ll be a lot more space when the community hall is built.” 

Mayor Raymond Ruben said the hamlet and territory’s education department have an agreement about sharing the space. He said the school gets to use it during weekdays and in the early evenings, while the hamlet gets to use it during evenings and weekends. 

Sometimes, he said, there are disagreements. 

The community hall, he said, “would be our space, and people – the community – will be telling us what it’s going to be used for. So it’s not like going to the school and having limitations from the government, or education, in terms of the use.”

The federal government committed $2.3 million dollars for the design and construction of a community hall in Paulatuk back in 2022. Under the arrangement, the hamlet committed a little under $800,000 as well. 

SAO Aaron Ruben said the hamlet went through 10 floor plan versions before landing on the current design in Dec. 2023. He’s hoping it’ll be the last one. 

The 350-metre-square space has an open area with capacity for 203 people, a stage, a concession area, storage space and bathrooms. It also features three rental offices intended to generate income for the hamlet to help offset the cost of operating and maintaining the hall.

But when the hamlet sent the project out for proposals, SAO Ruben said bids came in over budget – at least one of them about 2 million dollars higher than expected.

“I believe it’s been a year-and-a-half that we had this put on hold due to funding,” he said.

The SAO said the hamlet is trying to find more money for the project. He and the mayor said they would also consider partnering with other organizations too. The Inuvialuit Regional Corporation is looking to build a complex in Paulatuk, the SAO said, and they might be able to share a building.