A control system for radon gas mitigation systems that’s been designed in the Yukon could hit the market within a year thanks to the $60,000 Yukon Innovation Prize.

On Tuesday, Adam Greetham of GroundTrax Environmental Inc. was awarded the first-ever innovation prize from Cold Climate Innovation at the Yukon Research Centre.

The $60,000 prize – created by Cold Climate Innovation and the territory’s Department of Economic Development – will be used to continue pursuing the development of the system to get a patent and bring it to market.

The project was one of five to be shortlisted earlier this year from the initial 27 submissions that came in.

The five that were shortlisted each received $10,000 to develop the idea further and compete for the grand prize.

Greetham and his team at GroundTrax used the $10,000 to produce a working prototype, do a market analysis and consult with radon industry networks in Canada, the U.S. and Europe.

“The market’s ready for it,” Greetham told those gathered at the research centre for the announcement Tuesday.

As Greetham pointed out, currently, radon fans have no control system measuring air input and output and so on.

His system can detect radon, measure input and output of air, helping to ensure energy efficiency in the home.

“It will operate the system for you,” he said, pointing out it is designed to be added to existing radon mitigation systems or integrated into new systems.

He expects it will retail for about $200.

“This prize has given innovators like myself confidence to move forward while providing me with a team of support and guidance that has been invaluable,” Greetham said.

“I am thrilled to have won this prize, as it provides the financial support needed to make this a reality for a small business owner like myself.”

He praised the work of the entire project team, which also includes two computer techs and his wife, Josie, who specializes in marketing.

He pointed out Josie would have been at Tuesday’s event, but is currently in Europe studying the market there as work continues on the system.

“We don’t plan on snoozing or losing,” Greetham said of getting the control system to the market place.

Stephen Mooney, Cold Climate Innovation’s director, praised Greetham’s work as well as the other projects that were shortlisted.

“Cold Climate Innovation is here to discover and support innovative ideas that benefit the local economy and environment with strong potential to become commercialized,” said Mooney.

“This radon mitigation control system is a unique product that has great market potential not only in the North but globally.”

He noted it was a close competition that included projects aimed at reducing heat loss from doors and windows and options for concrete floors.

As Mooney pointed out, Cold Climate Innovation is there to make ideas happen and help stimulate the economy with those ideas.

Greetham noted he’s come into the research centre on a number of occasions to talk about other initiatives he’s pursuing and the door has always been open.

Also on hand Tuesday was Tourism and Culture Minister Elaine Taylor as Economic Development Minister Stacey Hassard could not make it.

As Taylor pointed out, the goal of the initiative is increasing local production of goods and services so that more wealth stays within the territory at the same time as improving energy efficiency.

While the theme for next year’s prize has yet to be announced, Greetham said he is planning on applying again next year and has a few ideas he’s pursuing.

“We are proud to support the Yukon Innovation Prize, and to encourage developing projects that contribute to the growth of Yukon’s economy,” said Hassard.

“There were some very impressive entries in this year’s competition, proving that Yukon is a leader in northern innovation.”