Late September 2025

Snow began falling around Arctic Bay in the middle of September, signalling the coming of winter.  The hills & mountains looked like someone sprinkled powdered sugar on them.  Snow fell in the community several days later but most of it melted.  I switched to rubber boots because of the large mud pits along the roads and between houses.  At least dust wasn’t being kicked up by vehicles.  All the roads here are gravel paved.

Construction crews have been hard at work on several projects in town, getting as much done as possible before winter.  Arctic Bay has been experiencing a construction boom and it’s much needed.  Our infrastructure needs upgrades & additions.  The latest Liberal federal government has promised increased attention & investment in Canada’s North, and I hope they follow through.  The territories have already experienced many broken promises.

Daycare site.

Infrastructure projects currently being worked on are a new water pumping station/treatment plant, two large residential complexes, and the creation of lots for a daycare & several rent-to-own houses.  Prefabricated modules for the rent-to-own houses were brought ashore at the beginning of September.  They won’t be installed until next year because the metal pile foundations need to be put it first.  The modules were moved to the site using loaders.  The large & colourful 8-plex residence is nearing completion.  The 12-plex residence next to it still has a long way to go.  Only the bottom flooring & side walls are up.  It’ll be at least another year or two before it’s ready.  As for the daycare, the local contractor has been pouring & flattening tons of earth to create the space needed to lay the foundations.  I’ve been told the daycare modules will arrive on next year’s sealift.    

Prefab house modules.

I think I can say everyone in town is glad we’re getting a new water pumping station with treatment equipment.  Arctic Bay is still under a water boil advisory, now just over a year.  I don’t think this is the first time the community has experienced such an extended advisory.  I’m still the school’s water boy, filling up empty water jugs at the Northern Store and bringing them back every few days.  The alternative is boiling water at school using tea kettles but that takes a lot of time.  Everyone is hoping the advisory will be lifted soon, but I’m not holding my breath.  The new facility will reduce the likelihood of another prolonged advisory.

An even better solution would be to construct a water distribution network that includes a water tower.  Constructing such a network will require a lot of piping because our water source is about 6.5km south of the community, near the airport.  And money, of course.  If the entire system can’t be built in one go, the powers that be should look at building a water pipeline from the source to a refill station near the gas station.  That will drastically reduce the distance water trucks will need to travel to fill up and the Hamlet will save money on gas.