Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Wrigley (July 12/02) - There will be more than enough work for residents here this summer, according to Pehdzeh Ki Chief Percy Hardisty.

A water treatment plant, a hazardous waste clean-up and a new seniors' complex are on the to-do list over the coming months.

The water treatment plant will replace the community's well, which has been in place since Wrigley was relocated in the 1970s.

"There's too much minerals in that water. It has a real drastic effect on hot water tanks and the pumps," Hardisty said.

In order to prevent ground water from becoming contaminated, removal of hazardous materials buried around the community will be undertaken. The band has secured federal funding to hire an environmental firm for assistance.

"There are tanks that were buried and what they contain, nobody knows ... right now it's an environmental concern and we're assessing it," Hardisty said.

Hazardous materials

The materials -- including fuel barrels, batteries and lead paint -- accumulated when the airport was constructed, and some of the items are under water at what is known as "Airport Lake," he said.

On another front, the seniors' complex, a initiative overseen by the housing corporation, will have four units. Hardisty said there's been a great deal of interest in occupancy, even from band members living elsewhere in Canada, who hope to return to Wrigley.

The building design has been completed and it's expected construction will get under way soon, he said.

In addition, the Department of Transportation will be seeking workers to help with bridges along the winter road route north, Hardisty noted.

"We won't have enough people in Wrigley for all the jobs that are coming down the line," he said.

Renovations to a trailer to convert it into office space and camp-style rooms, and a recently hired economic development officer to encourage residents to begin their own small businesses add to the activity.

"We had to take some initiative to prepare the community for whatever pending development that is coming towards us," said Hardisty.