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INUVIK - The cost of Inuvik's new super school is nearing an estimated $110 million, according to the territorial Department of Public Works.

Members of the legislative assembly asked the government about the rumoured cost of building the new Inuvik "super school" last week.

Hay River South Jane Groenewegen asked Education Minister Jackson Lafferty if a contract for the construction of the school had been awarded.

Lafferty said he knew of the contract, but could not confirm the cost of the school construction at that time.

Groenewegen also asked about a rumoured cost of $140 million.

In reply, deputy minister of Public Works Mike Aumond said the costs of the school were nearing "$110 million."

Finance Minister Michael Miltenberger said the government has a cost estimate that has been agreed upon with the companies involved but said the amount could not be released yet.

"We have a very clear specific figure that has been agreed to, but the contracting process has not been concluded yet," Miltenberger said.

Inuvik regional superintendent Roy Clarke said he could not comment on the current cost of the school because his department is waiting on the finalized contracts.

"We can't talk dollars right now, there are things working through the system," said Clarke.

Clarke said he would not confirm or deny that the cost ballooned from a projected $76 million in February 2008.

He said the two numbers could represent two different costs.

"There is the construction costs, which are different than the total project costs," he said.

Clarke explained the total project costs included moving the baseball diamond and preparing the lot for construction.

He said once the contract was signed and agreed upon, it would be in the hands of the legislative assembly for budget approval.