Canada and Nunavut Celebrate Official Opening of the Naujat Community Hall

Repulse Bay, Nunavut (July 2, 2010) – The Honorable Lorne Kusugak, Minister of Community and Government Services, on behalf of the Honorable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister Responsible for the North and federal Minister of Health, along with John Ningark, MLA for Akulliq, and Donat Milortok, Mayor of Repulse Bay today commemorate the official opening of the Naujat Community Hall. The $5.99 million project is a joint Canada-Nunavut investment under the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF).”Today’s opening of the community centre in Repulse Bay is an excellent example of the Government of Canada’s commitment to vibrant and sustainable communities,” said Minister Aglukkaq, Minister for the North and Minister of Health. “A centre like this becomes the heart of a community, bringing people together in one space. I look forward to hearing about the many activities that will take place there over the coming years.”

“Today we celebrate the opening of the Naujat Community Hall. This will serve as an excellent location for the residents of Repulse Bay to participate in cultural events and activities,” said Minister Kusugak. “The construction of this facility was made possible by use of the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund program (MRIF).

The initial planning and design stages for the Community Hall began in April 2008 and the construction commenced in 2009 with significant completion in that same year.

The Federal and Territorial Government entered into a cost-shared agreement in 2005 to fund recreational facilities, community halls, and energy-efficient infrastructure. The total budget under MRIF was $38.3 million dollars for Nunavut projects. The program is administered by the Government of Canada through the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor).

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For more information, please contact:

Elissa McKinnon
Policy Analyst/Communications Officer
Community and Government Services
Government of Nunavut
(867) 975-5342

Craig Welsh
Communications Advisor
Canadian Northern Economic
Development Agency
(867) 975-4537