A mosque built in Winnipeg is slated to be shipped about 4,500 kilometres to the Northwest Territories.
It's believed the mosque will be the first one of its kind in the Canadian Arctic when it's set up in Inuvik.
It's also being called by some the longest building move in Canada's history.
The structure was built in Winnipeg to save funds, because of the high cost of goods and services in the north.
"We're saving about $200,000," said Hussain Guisti, who's involved in the project, which was taken on by members of Winnipeg's Muslim community.
The mosque will accommodate about 80 people in its main prayer room, along with a sisters' prayer room for women-only. Currently, Muslim residents in the area have been using a trailer that can only accommodate about seven people.
The community of Inuvik has a Muslim community of about 100 people.
The mosque will be transported to the area by both truck and barge.
Construction began in April and isn't completely finished yet.
The mosque needs to be in Hay River in the Northwest Territories by Sept. 10 to make it onto a barge for the rest of the journey.
Finishing touches on the mosque will be completed in either Hay River or Inuvik.
Building mover Kevin Anderson said he has to travel an extra 500 kilometres on the journey with the mosque, because of having to deal with overhead signs, railway tracks and construction along the route.
"This is a little more stressful…you have to worry about all the different provinces and all their permits," said Anderson.
Guisti said ensuring the building meets all necessary codes in both Manitoba and the Northwest Territories has also required a great deal of work.
The mosque being sent to Inuvik is the second pre-fab one developed in Winnipeg. The first one was sent to Thompson.
- with a report from CTV's Jillian Taylor
