- Job: Lutsel K'e Dene School Renovation & Addition
- Location: Lutsel K'e, NT
- Type: Education
- Construction Budget: $12.6 Million
- Year Completed: 2018
- Prime Consultant: Taylor Architecture Group
- Client: GNWT Department of Infrastructure
- Delivery: Bid-Build
- Description: This contract faced substantial challenges throughout the project duration beyond the typical challenges faced working in a remote northern community without any road access. The school remained open throughout the years of work so there was a great deal of coordination between the teachers, students and the construction team in a high-risk environment. Specific areas required acceleration, despite the original schedule, in order to turn over necessary areas earlier for community use. There were significant changes to the original scope that lead to an increase of approximately 40% to the original contract sum. Changes included mould/asbestos abatement, energy efficiency upgrades such as the complete replacement of the envelope and a 100% overhaul of the gymnasium finishes. Despite all these challenges, the school was still completed on schedule and in time for the start of the 2018/2019 school year.
During the project, much of the salvageable material was donated and reused locally. ARCAN also worked with many community residents to be trained in various disciplines, training that they can use beyond this contract and Lutsel K'e. Some of these residents have since been employed by ARCAN on contracts in other communities.
