Construction for the high school expansion of Canada’s northernmost Francophone school, École des Trois-Soleils in Iqaluit, NU, is well underway this spring with the completion of rock socketed foundation piles. These are necessary so that the building is elevated above the ground, due to the challenging geotechnical conditions of Arctic bedrock and permafrost soil. The steel piles minimize the disturbance of existing ground conditions, and elevating the building reduces snow drifting against the building by allowing prevailing winds to flow over, around, and underneath it.
Erection of the steel superstructure began early in May and will continue over the next few weeks. Installation of the interior floor steel deck, along with roofing and exterior wall framing, will continue through June.
Construction of the superstructure and exterior envelope will continue throughout the rest of the summer targeting completion before fall of 2022. The General Contractor, Pilitak Construction Ltd is working diligently to prepare for the next load of building materials, scheduled to arrive later this summer by barge.
