Fort Simpson (July 28/06) - After months of meetings and debates, a formal agreement has been reached in Fort Simpson on how to spend the village's share of the community capacity building fund.

The $1 million will be used to place concrete in the arena, build a seasonal pool and a new skateboard park.

The agreement was finalized when the new council for Liidlii Kue First Nations voted on the matter on July 19 after being sworn in.

The village and the Fort Simpson Metis Nation had already agreed to the three projects.

"It felt good," said Chief Keyna Norwegian, about having the decision made.

Norwegian said it's unfortunate that the matter couldn't have been decided on earlier while there was more time for the projects to start before winter.

The council imposed one restriction on the funding.

"Each project must have more than one bid so we can ensure things are done properly," Norwegian said.

Now that the formal agreement has been made, Mayor Duncan Canvin said the village council will decide on the steps needed to place the concrete in the arena and then focus on the specifications for the pool.

Each project will be advertised separately and put out for tenders so multiple bids will be sought, Canvin said.

"I'm glad people could wrap their heads around the fact that these are projects that will benefit the entire community," Canvin said.

Having the concrete poured in the arena before the winter is achievable, Canvin said.

The groundwork for the pool might also be laid so work can continue for the rest of the year, he said.

Two other communities in the Deh Cho needed joint consensus on the money.

In Fort Liard, the formal decision was made last December.

With approval from the Acho Dene Koe First Nation, the money is being used for the building project that will expand the current hamlet office to include room for band staff. The redesigned building will also house a cultural centre, said John McKee the senior administrative officer.

Work on the building has already begun. Fort Providence has yet to make a decision. The community is still in preliminary discussions, said Albert Lafferty, the senior administrative officer for the hamlet.

The discussions are being facilitated by a firm from Yellowknife.

To date, two meetings have been held.

At a meeting on July 5 a number of proposals were presented.

The hamlet, band and Metis are gathering project costs before a third meeting in August, said Greg Nyuli, the band manager for Deh Gah Got'ie Koe First Nation.

Among the band's proposed projects are band lot surveying because there are no more lots in town, supplies for the new day care and renovations of the Aboriginal Headstart building.

Nyuli said he hopes approval will be reached by the end of August.