KINNGAIT/CAPE DORSET
After advertising a request for proposals for construction of a new high school in Cape Dorset, the Department of Community and Government Services cancelled its plans after a conversation about alternate sites popped up in the community.

A new school in Cape Dorset, to replace Peter Pitseolak High School which burned to the ground Sept. 6, is in the early stages of consultation, which involves a decision on its location. - photo courtesy of John Corkett

"The GN postponed as a result of a request from the Hamlet of Cape Dorset to consider another potential site for the replacement school," stated director of policy and planning Jodi Durdle-Awa

in an e-mail to Nunavut News/North.

The community's senior administrative officer, Ed Devereaux said hamlet council held a town hall meeting to "get a feel from the community the locations they preferred because they're actually trying to make their decision.

"In that meeting there was a site that was brought up that quite a few people at the meeting thought should be considered," he said.

"So council thought it was prudent to ask for that (postponement)."

Peter Pitseolak School, which burned to the ground in the early morning hours of Sept. 6 in a fire believed to be deliberately set, was located in the core of the community. The second site is neither in the core nor at the outskirts, said Devereaux in a phone interview.

"Council is just trying to make decisions with good input from the community. It's good to have these meetings. Somebody else can have an idea that no one's thought of."

Durdle-Awa said, "A site investigation will take place over the next four months with an expected conclusion in spring 2016."

If all goes well with site selection, a request for proposals will be put out in the summer, with construction beginning in the fall after the sealift arrives. Again, if all goes well, the GN expects students to be occupying the new school in the fall of 2019.

Meanwhile high school students continue to share Sam Pudlat School with younger students.

"CGS and the Department of Education are working with the local District Education Authority and hamlet to find reasonable short-term instructional spaces for the children impacted by the recent fire at Peter Pitseolak School," said Durdle-Awa.

Options include maximizing space at Sam Pudlat and looking at other spaces in the community, such as two classrooms at Arctic College, space in the pool building and the youth centre.

"In addition the GN will be examining the procurement of modular classrooms for potential delivery into the community in the summer/fall of 2016 to help address some of the space need," said Durdle-Awa.

GN officials were scheduled to meet with the hamlet and district education authority Dec. 10, weather permitting.

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