Another huge Yukon project is caught between a funding crunch and complete stoppage.

Yukon University’s new science building, known as the Polaris project, is facing a funding shortfall that is turning into a Gordian Knot.

Representatives from the university appeared before the Yukon legislature on Nov. 20 to provide an update.

That included discussing the status of the Polaris building – which was originally supposed to have been open by now.

Yukon Party MLA Scott Kent asked a number of questions on the subject, spurred on by the university officials addressing the situation in their update.

“When we go back to March of 2019, that is when the Government of Canada made the initial announcement about the $26 million toward a new science building. At the time, it was suggested that the building would be open in 2025,” Kent said.

“Then, a year ago in December, a design was announced. A local architecture firm has been paid, I believe, $2.3 million for their work designing Polaris.

“I was just looking at the Polaris webpage before I came in here today, and there are milestones on that page that I don’t believe are accurate, but I will leave it to the witnesses to explain.

“It says: ‘March to May 2023, a tender for construction; spring 2023, construction starts with completion anticipated for the fall of 2025.’

“I don’t believe that it has been tendered or that construction has started,” Kent noted.

Christine Mahar, a member of the Yukon University board of governors, answered Kent.

“I’m sorry; the website is outdated and we will work on that right away. No, construction has not started,” Mahar confirmed

“We are about 75-per-cent through the design and, over the course of the winter, hope to have — we will have all of the tender documents ready and out and we are hoping for a spring construction start.”

Kent had more questions prepared.

“Is there a revised completion date? Is there a revised budget? Obviously, going back in the budget of 2019, it was estimated at $36 million,” Kent said.

“A year ago, that cost was up to $41 million. I’m just curious, given the delays, if there is a revised completion timeline and a revised budget for the building.”

Mahar said, “Yes, the costs have gone up — inflation, et cetera. We’re also a little hesitant about noting any final completion date until such time as the tender documents are ready and out.

“As we work through the final design piece and the tender documents, we will have a better estimate,” Mahar said.

“The $26-million federal funding is still secure, but we appreciate that time is moving along, so there is an urgency of getting this out to tender and beginning construction this spring,” Mahar added.

“In addition, we’ve also secured a further $5.3 million to support the building of the zero-carbon building that will be accessible and inclusive and have the Rick Hansen accessibility certification.

“We are continuing to work with all partners — whether that be the business community, First Nation governments, or others,” Mahar told the legislature.

“As we know, in case there are further inflated costs, we are trying to find new partnerships right now.”

Kent noted, “So, $26 million from the Government of Canada and then a $5.3-million funding contribution based on, I believe the witness said, the low carbon aspects of the building.

“That still leaves us about $10 million short on last year’s price. Obviously, there’s a concern with that funding gap,” Kent said.

“The witnesses mentioned that they are hoping to start construction in the spring, but will they start construction with that funding gap still in place, or is there a commitment to close that funding gap completely before the construction begins?”

That question forced Mahar to modify what she had just said.

“Just one clarification: that $5.3 million is still conditional. They are still reviewing the application,” Mahar said.

“We are very definitely looking at having the sources of the funding for the entire estimate of building costs ready prior to tender. Yes, we are continuing negotiating with all of our partners.”

Aisha Montgomery, a spokesperson for the university, told the Star last Wednesday the university is still looking at its options to bridge the gap.

“We’re working really closely with the government,” she said.