Chief Jim Koe Park Redevelopment Project

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PROJECT BACKGROUND

The redevelopment of Chief Jim Koe Park has been a priority of the Town of Inuvik for some time, however more definitive development plans became a reality over the last few years and the Town of Inuvik began a series of public consultations regarding new possible designs and concepts in 2016/2017.

Prior to this in 2011/2012, when the new East Three School was being built the Town of Inuvik transferred land to the GNWT in exchange for the re-construction of new ball and soccer fields to replace the ones that were lost. The GNWT has now finished construction of a new Soccer Field and Ball Diamond as part of this arrangement.

The Town of Inuvik understood the importance and significance of the revitalization and redevelopment of Chief Jim Koe Park (adjacent to the intended field sites). While several draft concepts have been reviewed in both 2017 and 2018, budgetary and funding restraints did not allow the project to move forward.

In 2019 the Town of Inuvik was awarded federal funding dollars from CanNor to complement the Municipal Capital Budget to begin work on the design and construction of a permanent building(s) that was to house both a Town of Inuvik Visitor Centre (office/retail/visitor information/meeting space/arts & crafts display) as well as a permanent Arctic Market structure. These two buildings, now being combined into one cohesive facility are significant infrastructure components that will further support the Strategic Priorities of the Town of Inuvik which include economic development, tourism, and support for small business opportunities. Town Council also approved spending towards the redevelopment of Chief Jim Koe Park in their 2020/2021 Capital Projects Budget.

In 2020, the Town of Inuvik was once again awarded federal funding dollars, this time from Canadian Heritage to support the construction of a Special Events Pavilion which includes a new trailer stage, a 32 x 32 platform stage, accessible bleacher seating for 270 persons, and a venue membrane tent covering.

The Special Events Pavilion was completed in the winter of 2020 and held it's Grand Opening on June 18, 2021.

With significant investment from CanNor and contribution from the Government of the Northwest Territories the construction of the Inuvik Welcome Centre (formerly known as the Visitor Centre/Arctic Market Building) began in September of 2021 and was completed in May of 2022.

The Grand Opening of the Inuvik Welcome Centre will be held June 18, 2022.

PROJECT TIMELINE

2017

Draft Drawings of the Chief Jim Koe Park Redevelopment Area was made available to the public via Town's Website and Facebook Page. Copies of the layouts were also posted near the Softball Field on Bompas Street.

Request for Public Input regarding the redevelopment of Chief Jim Koe Park Area

Draft Drawings presented at the July 10 and 12, 2017 Town Council meetings.
- Chief Jim Koe Park Redevelopment Project - Layout A
- Chief Jim Koe Park Redevelopment Project - Layout B

2018

Photos From the 2018 Public Engagement at Inuvik Centennial Library and E3 High School

2019

The Town of Inuvik solicited proposals for consulting services for the planning, design, tendering, and construction support services for the Chief Jim Koe Park Project. This project was awarded to Taylor Architecture Group (TAG) on October 10, 2019.

The Chief Jim Koe Park Project builds on the design and public outreach efforts completed in 2018. This resulted in a set of design plans for the sports fields (Peggy Curtis Field). As we await commitment and funding approval from other sources, the Town of Inuvik applied for and received funding from CanNor to move forward with the Overall Site Design for Chief Jim Koe Park including the design and construction of a new permanent Arctic Market Venue and a Visitor Reception / Retail / Tourism Office space.

This site design will also account for a new special events pavillion which would include a new trailer stage, platform stage, accessible bleacher seating and a covered membrane (part of a 2019 funding application submitted to Canadian Heritage) Supplementing both elements is in investment of capital budget dollars that were approved in the 2020/2021 Interim Municipal Budget. In future years, the Town will apply for funding and look to direct funds to the other final elements of the area design including public washrooms, a canteen, landscaping, wayfinding, & public art.

In November/December of 2019 member of the TAG team travelled to Inuvik, met with stakeholders, Aurora College, Town Council and held several public engagement sessions regarding their plans and design elements.

2020

In early February of 2020, TAG provided Town Council with an updated pre-design report based on the information received during their 2019 consultations and from the direction provided by Town Council. This early report also presented Council with a number of decisions to be made such as site selection within the park as well as support to move forward with using the Aurora College trades program as part of their design and build construction.

Pre-Design Report Provided by TAG - February 2020

Additional Design Update Provided by TAG - February 2020

Town Council made several recommendations through a motion at the February 12th Town Council Meeting and provided direction to Administration to move forward with the project given the conditions noted.

Minutes from the Town Council Committee of the Whole Meeting - February 12, 2020

In March of 2020 the Town of Inuvik received notification of funding from Canadian Heritage which will go towards the purchase & installation of the 4 components (trailer stage, platform stage, accessible bleachers, and a membrane to cover the entire venue) of the Special Events Pavillion.

On May 11, 2020 a Capital Projects Update was presented to Town Council at the Committee of the Whole meeting which was held via Zoom and broadcast live over YouTube.

VIEW HERE - YouTube Video of Inuvik Town Council - Committee of the Whole May 11

READ HERE - Capital Projects Update - May 11, 2020

Since the May 2020 set of Council meetings several project and building design adjustments have been made. A revised set of drawings for the Visitor Centre / Tourism Office / Arctic Market building have been provided to Town Administration for review and were included in the July Call for Tenders.

PUBLIC UPDATE - CHIEF JIM KOE PARK PROJECTS & UPGRADES - INFO - JULY 22

A Call for Tenders was issued for the construction of this building on July 22, 2020 with a closing date of August 7, 2020.

https://www.inuvik.ca/en/doing-business/Bids-and-Tenders.asp

PUBLIC PARKS NOTICE - CHIEF JIM KOE PARK REDEVELOPMENT - LEARN MORE - JULY 26

Tenders received were considerably above the original budget. Discussions are ongoing with TOI Administration, Contractors, Architects, & Funding Partners as we discuss next steps forward.

On Monday, August 10, 2020 a project update was presented at the Committee of the Whole, Inuvik Town Council Meeting. At this time, we will present visual renderings of the Park and new facilities and updated building designs.

COUNCIL PRESENTATION - CHIEF JIM KOE PARK REDEVELOPMENT UPDATE - AUGUST 10

AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020

Ongoing site preparation including surveying, indication of drainage areas, ground leveling, laying of a gravel pad and other ground preparation work was completed.

OCTOBER 2020

Installation & construction of the Special Events Pavilion begins and runs from October 15 - 30th.

PUBLIC UPDATE - CHIEF JIM KOE PARK REDEVELOPMENT - NOVEMBER 2020

NOVEMBER 2020

Installation & construction of the Special Events Pavilion complete.

MAY 2021

Site preparation and construction begins for the Arctic Market / Tourism Building.

While the Special Events Pavilion is up and near ready to open for the season, other areas of Chief Jim Koe Park are unavailable during the summer of 2021.

PUBLIC UPDATE - CHIEF JIM KOE PARK REDEVELOPMENT - MAY 2021

MAP OF DEVELOPMENT PROGRESS AND ACCESSIBLE AREAS - MAY 2021

INTERNAL LAYOUT OF THE SPECIAL EVENTS PAVILION - MAY 2021

JUNE 2021

The Special Events Pavilion held it's Grand Opening on June 18, 2021

Special Events Grand Opening - Read Press Release Here

Recording of Opening Ceremonies - Watch Facebook Video Here

SEPTEMBER 2021

Construction of Arctic Market / Visitor Centre Building begins.

OCTOBER 2021

Public Update - Chief Jim Koe Park - Arctic Market & Visitor Centre Building

SPRING/SUMMER 2022

Construction of the Inuvik Welcome Centre (formerly known as the Arctic Market / Visitor Centre Building is now complete)

Building Completion: May 2022

Grand Opening: June 18, 2022

Name of new facility: Inuvik Welcome Centre

PROJECT COMPONENTS

BALL & SOCCER FIELDS

Please note that while it was deemed necessary to consider both Chief Jim Koe Park and the area identified for the replacement fields through a holistic lens to ensure the entire area is developed to meet the community needs and allow accessibility for all users, they are in fact at this time considered two separate projects.

The Town of Inuvik is now referencing this specific element as the Ball & Soccer Field Replacement Project or Peggy Curtis Field Redevelopment Project.

CHIEF JIM KOE PARK

Chief Jim Koe Park is the heart of the community, a central meeting place, a key 'gateway' feature to the downtown, as well as a site for both passive and active recreational activities. It is also a critical venue for events, festival, community celebrations, performances, and promotion of the vibrant tapestry of arts & culture in Inuvik.

Currently the project has two separate construction elements:

INUVIK WELCOME CENTRE (Formerly known as the Visitor Centre & Arctic Market Building)

Contains a wooden open-air, covered boardwalk which will be the permanent venue for the Arctic Market

Second floor of the enclosed building will house the Economic Development & Tourism Department staff year-round
First floor of the enclosed building has a small visitor reception counter, visual displays, Town of Inuvik promotional retail items and a small community meeting room

SPECIAL EVENTS PAVILION
- Trailer Stage
- Platform Stage
- Accessible Bleacher Seating for 270 persons
- Venue Covering

PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT

APPROACH

As identified in the Public Engagement Approach Chart shown below, the Town of Inuvik has worked to enlist these important strategies such as informing, consulting, involving, and collaborating with our residents and stakeholders. On-going engagement is important to garner ideas and feedback from our community.

All public input received during public consultation session are considered carefully, along with technical and economic information, to guide further project design and development. From there, we go back to the design board to try to incorporate the ideas and information received. Next steps will involve updating our design to reflect the input received from all community members, while keeping feasibility and scope at the forefront of consideration.

CURRENT STATUS

The Chief Jim Koe Park Redevelopment Project remains a high priority for the Town of Inuvik.

Currently the project is in the following stage of development per element:

INUVIK WELCOME CENTRE

Construction of the Inuvik Welcome Centre (formerly known as the Arctic Market / Visitor Centre Building) is now complete

Building Completion: May 2022

Grand Opening: June 18, 2022

Name of new facility: Inuvik Welcome Centre

SPECIAL EVENTS PAVILION

Completed WINTER of 2020

Grand Opening held June of 2021

The Ball & Soccer Field Replacement Project or "Peggy Curtis Field" Redevelopment Project