Iyabak Construction, LLC, a subsidiary of Bering Straits Native Corporation, recently completed a major renovation to the Bering Sea Women’s Group (BSWG) Shelter as part of the State of Alaska’s Domestic Violence Shelter Deferred Maintenance Project. Located in Nome, BSWG is a nonprofit that provides programs and shelter for domestic violence victims. The shelter, originally constructed in 1959, was in a severely deteriorated state due to heavy use and limited funding.
Iyabak began the onsite construction work in June 2016. Due to temporary displacement of the clients, women and children of the community, Iyabak aimed for the work to be complete by September. Iyabak not only met this goal, but clients were able to move back into the facility on Aug. 16, several weeks ahead of schedule.
Improvements included interior finishes, a new heating fuel tank, plumbing and light fixtures, power and data upgrades, doors and windows. These solutions not only included all of the safety code compliant upgrades, but allowed the entire facility to be renovated into modernized living quarters and office spaces, and all within the available funding.