Mayor discusses plans for new college
Malcolm Gorrill
Northern News Services
Inuvik (Dec 01/00) - The Aurora College campus is in such bad shape that it's hard to hold classes there.
That's the opinion of Mayor Peter Clarkson.
Clarkson and Deputy Mayor Arlene Hansen, met last week with Minister of Education Jake Ootes and department officials. Much of their discussions centred around the current campus and plans for a new one.
"With the poor shape of the facilities now, it's hard to offer some of the core programs, 'cause students just won't go to the campus," Clarkson said. "If you can't offer the core programs, you can't justify building better facilities."
Right now the rec leadership program is the only core program at the campus.
"That program may be eliminated or moved," Clarkson revealed.
"We need the better facility if we're going to be able to offer better programs. Plus also, with all the oil and gas training that's needed, it would be good to have a good campus, where you've got decent size classrooms.
"So that's what we're trying to push for, is to ensure that building the college isn't going to get bumped any later. If we could get it sooner, you know, the better."
Clarkson explained that funds for planning a new campus are not in the GNWT's budget until the 2003-4 fiscal year, and that actual construction is not set to begin until 2004.
The mayor said that, in general, the discussions went well.
Meanwhile, Inuvik Twin Lakes MLA Roger Allen agreed the issue of the new campus is important.
"We're going to be discussing this more specifically in the near future," Allen said.
