| PROJECT BACKGROUND | ||||||||||
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The Town of Inuvik is located 200 km north of the Arctic Circle, nestled between the treeless tundra and the northern Boreal Forest, and the vast Mackenzie Delta. The Town serves as the administrative center and is a key gateway to other communities in the North like Aklavik, Tuktoyaktuk, Sachs Harbour, Ulukhaktok, and Paulatuk and communities to the South such as Tsiigehtchic and Fort McPherson.
The majority of our visitors arrive to Inuvik during the summer months via the Dempster Highway. Increasingly visitors to Inuvik plan their trips to venture North and to experience the incredible drive along the Inuvik To Tuk Highway that brings you from the treeline to the Arctic Ocean.
Tourism and the visitor economy is increasingly becoming a significant industry for the region and with significant upgrades to our gateway entrance signage, we have a perfect opportunity to increase economic growth, visitor impact, and enhance our local infrastructure while at the same time presenting to the world a warm and friendly welcome to our Northern community.
The Gateway Sign is designed to:
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| PROJECT TIMELINE | ||||||||||
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2015
In 2015 Mayor & Town Council note the aging and deterioration of the existing Welcome Sign and the anticipated increase in visitor traffic with the soon-to-be-built Inuvik-Tuktoyaktuk Highway and make the building of a new Inuvik Gateway Welcome Sign a priority thereby allocating $200,000.00 in the Capital Budget with work to begin in 2017.
2016
The Mayor & Town Council defer the Inuvik Gateway Welcome Sign project to 2018
2017
The Mayor & Town Council confirm Inuvik Gateway Welcome Sign to begin in 2018.
2018
The Mayor & Town Council approve 2018 Capital Budget and initial work on the Inuvik Gateway Welcome Sign begins.
June 2018 New Site Chosen & GNWT Issues Access Permit to Town of Inuvik.
Summer/Fall 2018 Early site work including surveying and laying of gravel fill occur at site
2019
The Mayor & Town Council approve 2019 Capital Budget and work on the Inuvik Gateway Welcome Sign continues.
September 10, 2019
RFP Issued for Gateway Sign Design. Ad placed in following locations:
September 25, 2019 RFP for Gateway Sign Closed
October 2019 Town of Inuvik Administration awards Gateway Sign Design RFP to Fathom Studios.
October/November 2019 Design consultation begins with Town Administration, Mayor & Town Council, Stakeholders, Community Organizations, local Indigenous Governments, Residents, & the local community.
November 13-15, 2019 A consultant from Fathom Studios travels to Inuvik and presents to Town Council, meets with local organizations and residents, seeks feedback through individual stakeholder interviews, public consultations, booth displays, and an online survey.
November 13, 2019 Fathom Studios presents 3 Draft Design Concepts to Town Council. Town Council indicates preference for "landscape wall" like design.
November 14, 2019 Public Engagement Session is held as a Public Open House from 6 to 9 at the Midnight Sun Complex
November 15, 2019 Public Outreach Table - Foyer of the Midnight Sun Complex - 5-9 (During GNAF Artisan Craft Fair)
November 25, 2019 Fathom Studios submits a "What We Heard Report" including the following information:
2020
The Mayor & Town Council approve 2020 Interim Capital Budget and work on the Inuvik Gateway Welcome Sign continues.
February 12, 2020
Mayor & Town Council passes a motion that provides direction to Administration to move forward with the Tourism Gateway Sign giving consideration to the following recommendations:
Official Minutes of the February 12, 2020 Inuvik Town Council Meeting Here
March, 2020
Town of Inuvik works with the Inuvialuit Cultural Resource Centre and the Gwich'in Department of Culture & Heritage to approve and finalize the correct Inuvialuktun & Gwich'in language spellings of the word "Welcome" to be placed on the sign.
May, 2020
Town of Inuvik Administration, through consultation with the Mayor and Inuvik Town Council, approves the Final Design and authorizes preparation of the Tender for the Fabrication, Supply, & Installation of the new Gateway Welcome Sign
May 20, 2020
June 23, 2020
Tender for the Fabrication, Supply & Installation of the new Gateway Welcome Sign closes.
July 2020
Following multiple media stories and public commentary, Mayor and Town Council discussed the overall project at the Committee of the Whole Meeting on Monday, July 13th. Because of COVID restrictions this meeting was held over a Zoom call and broadcast LIVE on the Town of Inuvik YouTube Channel.
To View the Council Discussion & Recorded Broadcast Click Here
July 2020
Shortlist of interested bidders created. Administration, Designers, & Council currently reviewing submissions; reviewing budget, materials, & design potential modifications
August 2020
Construction tender awarded to Alberta Custom Metal Fabricators
September to December 2020
Site preparation, ordering of materials, working with designers & fabricators, pilings drilled
2021 January to March Fabrication of base & sign components continues
2021 June 22-25 Installation of Gateway Sign
June 25 Tourism Gateway Sign Complete
September / October Site work completed including loading of fill, mapping of parking, installation of selfie-stand, addition of boulders and walking paths and lighting has been installed
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| FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ'S) | ||||||||||
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WHO PAINTED THE ORIGINAL SIGN? Max Morin, a First Nation RCMP member originally from Saskatchewan who was living in Inuvik at the time, painted the original sign in 1992. Read more in the following CBC article here: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/welcome-to-inuvik-sign-1.5021527
WHAT’S WRONG WITH THE OLD SIGN? The current sign is almost 30 years old. The current pilings are showing signs of deterioration and the sign itself, which has been repaired and touched up several times over the years, was painted on plywood. The plywood is now separating, peeling, and has been significantly damaged by weather and is suggested to be beyond repair.
WHERE'S THE OLD SIGN NOW? https://www.macleans.ca/society/the-legacy-of-inuviks-iconic-end-of-the-dempster-sign/
WHEN DID YOU DECIDE TO MAKE A NEW SIGN? While over the years there has been discussions regarding the sign in Town Council, it was in 2015 that it was first put forth as a Capital Budget expenditure item for the Town of Inuvik municipal budget. It was deferred for the next few years, but in 2018 site work began to select and prepare the new site location.
WHAT IS THE BUDGET FOR THIS PROJECT? The total budget for the project is $200,000.00 but this includes site preparation, sign design, sign fabrication, & installation. This amount has been approved in the Municipal Capital Budget since 2015. All Municipal Budget documents are public and accessible by visiting the Town of Inuvik website at: https://www.inuvik.ca/en/town-hall/Budget-and-Finance.asp
WHEN WAS THE TENDER FOR DESIGN ISSUED? The RFP for the design of the new Tourism Gateway Sign was issued on September 10, 2019
WHERE DID YOU POST THE TENDER? Advertising of the RFP for the design of the new Tourism Gateway Sign was placed in the following locations:
WHO SUBMITTED BIDS TO THE TENDER?
WHO WAS THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER & WHY? The RFP was awarded to Fathom Studios because in addition to being on scope and on budget, after a follow-up discussion with shortlisted candidates, Fathom was seen to be the best equipped (tools, team, experience, & resources) but also included a significant public consultation component to their bid, which was deemed as very important for selection committee. Bids were evaluated based on weighted scores under the following criteria:
DID ANY LOCAL FIRMS PLACE A BID? No Inuvik-based firms or individuals submitted a bid.
DID ANY LOCAL FIRM, BUSINESS, OR ARTIST APPROACH THE TOWN WITH ALTERNATIVE PROPOSALS, RECOMMENDATIONS, REQUESTS OR SUGGESTIONS TO SPLIT THE TENDER OR TO OFFER TO PARTNER WITH ANOTHER FIRM? No.
HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH THE DESIGN OF THE SIGN? While Fathom Studios provided three rudimentary early design concepts to Town Council, the ultimate design including colours, motifs, and languages to be included was heavily influenced by community and stakeholder input for those that attended the public open house, answered the online survey, or interviewed directly with the consultants. Inuvik Town Council and Administration also provided recommendations for various elements of the sign including suggested materials to be used.
DID YOU PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR FEEDBACK ON THE DESIGN? The Town of Inuvik and Fathom Studios utilized numerous methods to solicit public input including:
WHERE DID YOU PROMOTE THE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT FOR THE SIGN? Public Notice for Public Engagement posted to the following locations
Invitation to Public Engagement send directly by email to 150+ stakeholders including:
DID YOU CONSULT WITH LOCAL INDIGENOUS GOVERNMENTS? Invitation & requests for one-on-one interviews were sent to local Indigenous Government leadership including:
WHO APPROVED THE DESIGN & WHEN? After discussions and taking into consideration public input, Town Council provides direction to Administration to move forward with project with an official motion passed during Town of Inuvik Town Council meeting on February 12, 2020.
HOW DID YOU DECIDE ON THE LANGUAGES USED ON THE SIGN? During the public consultation it was made know that the desire was to have the word “WELCOME” in English, Inuvialuktun, & Gwich’in. The Town of Inuvik approached both the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation and the Gwich’in Tribal Council for guidance on how best to source the correct spelling in both languages.
WHEN WAS THE TENDER FOR CONSTRUCTION & INSTALLATION POSTED? May 20, 2020
WHERE DID YOU POST THE OPPORTUNITY TO BID ON THE CONSTRUCTION & INSTALLATION? Advertising of the RFP for the design of the new Tourism Gateway Sign was placed in the following locations:
HAS THERE BEEN ANY MEDIA COVERAGE OF THE SIGN PROJECT?
TOWN SEEKS RESIDENT INPUT ON NEW GATEWAY SIGN – INUVIK DRUM - NOV 2019 https://nnsl.com/inuvikdrum/town-seeks-residents-input-on-new-gateway-sign/
HOW THE TOWN OF INUVIK GOT ITS WELCOME SIGN – CBC ARTICLE – FEB 2019 https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/welcome-to-inuvik-sign-1.5021527
TOWN COUNCIL GETS LATEST LOOK AT UPCOMING NEW GATEWAY SIGN – INUVIK DRUM – MAY 2020
LOVE IT OR HATE IT – THIS IS INUVIK’S NEW TOWN SIGN – CBC ARTICLE – JULY 4 2020 https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/inuvik-new-town-sign-1.5637464
AFTER BACKLASH OVER NEW SIGN, TOWN HOPEFUL INUVIK ARTISTS WILL GET INVOLVED IN FUTURE PROJECTS – CBC ARTICLE – JULY 9 2020 https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/inuvik-sign-reaction-1.5643169
GATEWAY SIGN: SEPARATE DESIGN AND ENGINEERING TENDERS TO AVOID PUBLIC OUTCRY OVER CIVIC PROJECTS, SUGGEST INUVIK ARTIST – INUVIK DRUM – JULY 11 2020
THE LEGACY OF INUVIK'S ICONIC END OF THE DEMPSTER SIGN - JUNE 18 2021 https://www.macleans.ca/society/the-legacy-of-inuviks-iconic-end-of-the-dempster-sign/
WHAT IS THE STATUS OF THE SIGN NOW? The new Town of Inuvik Gateway Sign is now complete.
GOOGLE MAPS https://goo.gl/maps/7sBZK9FaLs8awXC69
INUVIK GATEWAY SIGN COMPLETE https://tinyurl.com/InuvikGatewaySignComplete
WHAT WOULD BE THE ADDITIONAL COSTS IF TOWN COUNCIL DECIDED TO RE-ISSUE THE TENDER FOR THE DESIGN CONCEPT OF THE SIGN? At this time, it would be difficult to provide an exact estimate, as it would vary greatly depending on the change in scope or design of the sign. Several options are possible should Town Council decide to go “back to the drawing board”. The initial approximate break down of the overall $200,000.00 budget is 10% to site preparation, 40% to sign design, & 50% to sign fabrication & installation Should Council wish to re-evaluate or re-issue the design component, it has, under this funding model the potential to cost an additional $20K to $80K to complete.
ARE THERE PHOTOS OF THE DESIGN CONCEPT OF THE SIGN?
*note the language translations shown on these early designs are not the final version
*note the figures used in the photos are for scale only and are not part of sign design
The front (highway facing) base of the sign will include Delta Braid, Welcome (EN, Gwich’in, Inuvialuktun), & animal motif (Caribou, Moose, Grizzly)
The rear (parking lot facing) base of the sign will include Delta Braid, Longitude & Latitude, & animal motif Ends of base will have Town Logo
ARE THERE PHOTOS OF THE COMPLETED SIGN? https://tinyurl.com/InuvikGatewaySignFBPics
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| PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT | ||||||||||
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APPROACH
The Town of Inuvik has worked to enlist 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.
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| CURRENT STATUS | ||||||||||
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The Inuvik Gateway Welcome Sign remains a high priority for the Town of Inuvik.
The construction tender was awarded to Alberta Custom Metal Fabricators Ltd who is now fabricating the base and sign components in preparation for transport and installation.
Construction/Installation of the Tourism Gateway Sign was completed on June 25, 2021.
Work on the overall site remains including the addition of fill, installation of a selfie-stand, creation of walking paths, and designation of parking areas. Lighting was also installed. This work continued from June to October 2021.
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PHOTO GALLERY |
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Photo Gallery: INUVIK TOURISM GATEWAY SIGN will appear here on the public site.
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Questions/Comments
Kecil Joseph, Development Officer
E-mail: kjoseph@inuvik.ca
Telephone: (867) 777-8614
Fax: (867) 777-8601
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