Building materials for long-delayed health centre in Tulı́t'a, N.W.T., now warped and mouldy

Building materials intended for use in a new health centre in Tulı́t'a, N.W.T. — already four years overdue —  have been sitting unused in the community for so long they've become mouldy and warped from weather and moisture damage.

The construction materials were sent to Tulı́t'a before the COVID-19 pandemic. The new facility was first slated to open in 2021 but the Government of the Northwest Territories said that pandemic-related travel restrictions and supply chain challenges delayed the project. 

A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Services (HSS) said in an email that the damaged materials are still being assessed but if they're not usable for other public projects they may be sold or disposed of, depending on their condition. 

Spokesperson Andrew Wind noted that the damage made the materials unusable for a health-care facility but that they could potentially be used in other government projects, such as road construction.

He said that wood materials were particularly affected by mould and warping but that ducting materials were also exposed to dirt and debris — something that could later lead to the spread of bacteria and viruses through the air. 

He said the government doesn't yet know the value of the unusable materials but that will also be determined through the assessment.

Replacement materials were both flown in and shipped on the winter road. 

Sahtu MLA Danny McNeely said that if the damaged materials can be made available to Tulı́t'a residents, the extra materials are good news. 

"Fifty per cent probably of that material is still usable for cabins and sheds and sidewalks and home decks," he said. "We're gonna make good use of it."

He hopes community members will be able to buy the material for less than it would cost to buy from outside the region. 

McNeely said the new health centre will have much more space, including to house physicians. He also said the old facility for doctors was mouse-ridden.

"And how can you attract physicians if you've got a mousetrap?" McNeely said. 

The community already has a new four-plex across from where the new health centre will be built, for staff. Each unit has two bedrooms and McNeely says there will be additional units in the health centre for out-of-town staff, once it's built. 

Construction on the facility resumed last May. HSS said it anticipates the health centre will open by the end of summer 2026, "provided no unforeseen circumstances take place."