Glen Vienneau
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Aug 16/00) - Contractors are busy keeping up with their schedules to complete the massive renovations at Sir John Franklin high school.

"Construction is going along fine. They're target date is looking good," said Dave Johnson, Yk Education District No. 1's superintendent of facility maintenance.

Johnson said currently work is being done in the school's new front foyer. The work includes painting, laying ceramic tiles and site work.

For the past two years, students and staff have been patient while the school has undergone what officials describe as "extreme renovations" to the now 9,000 metre (100,000 square foot) high school.

During that time, they have endured dust, noise, cold classrooms, floods, smelly washrooms, fire drills, caving walls and temporary classrooms.

"It will be a more peaceful year. Hopefully it will be finished, they're working really hard right now to get everything ready," said Dr. Judith Knapp, superintendent of the district.

"The inside will hopefully be completed so that the teachers won't be interrupted by all of the construction."

Knapp added, regardless of the state of construction, the school will open as planned on Aug. 28.

"It's sort of a new world. They're coming back to a very new, a very bright fresh environment."

Probably the most noticeable change at the school is the addition of windows which have brightened the school significantly.

Other changes include wider hallways, more meeting areas and new furniture.

"The library is specifically designed for small groups to get together and have discussions," Knapp said, adding, these changes have given the school a "sort of a college campus kind of feel."

The move

Over the summer, maintenance crews have been busy setting up the computer lab, the library and also moving classrooms from Akaitcho Hall.

During the last school year, the Akaitcho Hall was used to house temporary classes on a rotating basis as the crew worked on different parts of the school.

This made for many moves during the two year period, noted Dr. Knapp.

"The teachers were marvellous, they were flexible and creative to get through that period."