GNWT reconsiders site for Ft. Res health centre
Unused downtown apartment complex back on the table after community expresses concerns
Paul Bickford
Northern News Services
Monday, March 23, 2015
DENINU KU’E/FORT RESOLUTION
The GNWT has agreed take another look at a suggested site for a new health and social services centre in Fort Resolution.
Health and Social Services Minister Glen Abernethy made that commitment in a Feb. 10 letter to three of the main political leaders in the community.
Those leaders - the mayor, the chief of Deninu Ku'e First Nation and the president of the Metis Council - had jointly written the minister in mid-January to outline their concerns about a proposed location, and to suggest an alternative.
They want the new centre on the site of an old and unused so-called eight-plex of single apartments in the central part of the community.
That building is owned by the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation (NWTHC).
In their Jan. 14 letter, the leaders told the minister that DKFN, which owns two small buildings beside the eight-plex, would be willing to relocate the structures to create adequate space for the new health centre and its parking.
"With the addition of the area proposed by the community adjacent to the NWTHC property, the GNWT is reconsidering this option to determine whether it is feasible within the project budget and schedule," wrote Abernethy.
"In response to the community's proposal, the Department of Public Works and Services has already initiated discussions with the NWTHC with regard to the availability of the site and estimated cost for removal of the existing eight-plex."
Abernethy stated his department will provide the community with an update once a review has been concluded.
The minister noted the department had previously investigated the eight-plex site and determined it would not be big enough to accommodate the new health centre.
The currently approved site for the new health centre is on four lots on the edge of the community.
Mayor Garry Bailey is pleased the GNWT is reconsidering the eight-plex site.
"I think it's good that Glen Abernethy and the government are going to be looking at it because that was the original process they should have followed all along," he said.
"Come to the community first, ask them where they wanted the building, and where it would be the best fit for the community."
Bailey said the community leaders believe the project is feasible on the site of the eight-plex, noting the building hasn't been used for years and the housing corporation has been heating it for nothing.
The Jan. 14 letter to the minister was signed by Bailey, Fort Resolution Metis Council president Arthur Beck and Chief Louis Balsillie of Deninu K'ue First Nation.
They all agree the site of the eight-plex would be best for a new building to replace the existing 45-year-old health centre.
"It will be more centralized for our elders so that they don't have to walk way into the back of our community," said Bailey.
As for the proposed site on the four lots, the mayor called it a "horrible" location.
"It's going to cost a lot just for the foundation because of the ground that is there," he said. "I mean, it used to be swamp. The whole country back there used to be a creek."
On the other hand, he said the site of the eight-plex is solid ground. A request for proposals (RFP) for the design and construction of the health and social services centre closed Feb. 26.
"We're in the process of completing the evaluation for the RFP and, once it is complete, we will identify who the successful proponent is," said Damien Healy, manager of communications with the Department of Health and Social Services.
Healy said construction is expected to begin in spring, with completion
anticipated in 2017.
