Yellowknife (Mar 17/06) - A new housing facility will prove helpful for people who live with disabilities in Yellowknife, says the NWT Housing Corporation.

To mark the beginning of construction for a new housing unit for people with disabilities, Housing minister David Krutko (left) and Cecily Hewitt, with the NWT Council of Persons with Disabilities (back centre) watched as Bill Burles (middle) broke the ground at the site on 53rd Street. Don Gillis witnesses the event. - Dez Loreen/NNSL photo

The facility will house eight people, giving each of them enough space to live comfortably, no matter what their condition.

"We are making the building as accessible as possible," said Jeff Anderson, the corporation's acting president.

Wide halls, large doorways and grab handles will be a few of the amenities offered in the new building.

On Tuesday morning, a crowd of people gathered around the lot on 53rd Street where the new eight-plex is going to be built.

The ground was broken to signify the start of construction, which will begin immediately, said Anderson.

Housing minister David Krutko was also on hand to dig up the dirt. He said the building is unique and will be a great addition to the city.

Each unit will have two bedrooms, each fitted with state of the art equipment for assisted living.

The building is a result of a needs assessment done in 2004, which showed a demand for units like these, said Anderson.

The study showed that there are 350 people in Yellowknife with mobility problems and 50 of them have a core need for assistance from the government.

New Age Construction won the bid for the project and work is slated to be complete by Oct. 1, 2006.