MEDIA RELEASE
June 18, 2022
For Immediate Release
TOWN OF INUVIK’S GRAND OPENING OF THE INUVIK WELCOME CENTRE
Inuvik, Northwest Territories – On Saturday, June 18th, 2022 the Town of Inuvik is proud to host the official Grand Opening of the Inuvik Welcome Centre located adjacent to the Special Events Pavilion in the heart of Chief Jim Koe Park. The building will be open to the public from 10 am to 4 pm on the day of the opening and will have varied hours throughout the year.
With a significant funding contribution and investment from CanNor, supported by additional funds from the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Town of Inuvik, the Inuvik Welcome Centre will serve as a community centre and hub for economic and tourism activity.
The Inuvik Welcome Centre was completed in the Spring of 2022 and is designed to be holistic and dynamic facility made up of two distinct spaces; a wooden covered boardwalk which will house the Summer Outdoor Arctic Market and a brightly coloured two-storey building which serves as a year-round municipal visitor reception on the first floor and houses the new full time permanent offices for the Economic Development & Tourism Department Director and Staff on the second floor.
A special featured space found inside the Inuvik Welcome Centre is a small meeting room that has been named the “Kristine McLeod Memorial CommUNITY Room” in honour of the late Gwich’in Tribal Council Deputy Grand Chief, Ms. Kristine McLeod who passed away unexpectedly in August of 2021.
Exactly one year ago to the day, on June 18th of 2021 Deputy Grand Chief McLeod addressed the crowd during the Grand Opening of the Special Events Pavilion. She spoke to the importance of working together for the betterment of Gwich’in and all people. She spoke fondly of memories attending special events, festivals, and cultural celebrations in Chief Jim Koe Park and the significance they have for a healthy & vibrant community.
It is with those same ideals that the Inuvik Welcome Centre will continue to grow and evolve to serve the people of Inuvik and the visitors to our Arctic community.
The Inuvik Welcome Centre is one of the latest pieces of significant investments and infrastructure completed as the part of the overall Chief Jim Koe Park Redevelopment Project. Also in Chief Jim Koe Park is the Special Events Pavilion a fully covered, but outdoor event and performance venue that includes several stages and bleacher seating for 270 people.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Jackie Challis, Director
Economic Development & Tourism
Town of Inuvik
jchallis@inuvik.ca
867.777.8632
