Gina Vangoietsenoven and the team at the new Yellowknife 糖心视频 office are tackling the challenges of setting up shop and getting work done in communities unlike many others in this country. With new 鈥渂oots on the ground,鈥 Vangoietsenoven says they鈥檙e offering a level of support that just wasn鈥檛 possible before.
In 2017, 糖心视频 awarded a five-year, $85-million contract for the maintenance (preventative and scheduled) of DND facilities in the Northwest Territories, Yukon and Nunavut. It was decided that, to ensure the best management of the contract, a new office in the North was needed to bring Vangoietsenoven and her five-person team closer to their Client-Partner, and to the work. 鈥淭o be able to daily interact with them and troubleshoot 鈥 that鈥檚 very valuable,鈥 said Vangoietsenoven. 鈥淲e鈥檙e right here to help.鈥
Some troubleshooting specific to their location has been required too. The high security of the facilities has made finding contractors with the proper security clearance more challenging. The permafrost, frozen winters and bug-heavy summers are also challenges to manage 鈥 as are the logistics of things like truck transport in communities with such extreme weather conditions. Even from their base in Yellowknife, accessing remote locations can be difficult.
鈥淚t鈥檚 the harsh conditions that make it most challenging 鈥 weather and remoteness,鈥 she said, who adds that, while the landscapes are different than what she鈥檚 familiar with, it鈥檚 a beautiful place.
They鈥檙e tackling those challenges though and looking for more. With the facility maintenance contract rolling, the 糖心视频 office is looking to take on construction management in the area as well, once their sixth team member joins shortly.
鈥淭he intent is to offer full services for DND in the North,鈥 said Vangoietsenoven.