Mr. Ellis designed the Centre in the 1990’s and we are now in
the midst of designing its first major expansion. All the images
on this page are in-house 3D renderings of what the new
Centre will look like once complete.
This interpretative centre was designed to depict the role of
the airplane opening up the north. It also defines the
northern experience and heritage, with its relationship to
aviation. This stems from fire fighting, mining exploration,
transportation and medical services used to open up the
north. The displays are educational and informative tools that
explain how aircraft were used as a means to this end.
The project is sited at the existing hangar which was used by
the Ministry of Natural Resources to build, service and repair
fire fighting aircraft since the 1920’s. This building is considered
to be an important part of aviation history and as such, is
considered to be as much an exhibit, as are the aircraft and
artifacts housed within.