Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Baker Lake (Dec 15/99) - The long fight for a new school in Baker Lake may be nearing its end.

Nunavut Education Minister James Arvaluk has made a formal request for $615,000 to be included in the 2000-2001 capital plan.

The money would cover the first stage of replacing Jonah Amitnaaq secondary school, paying for engineering and architectural work before construction.

Arvaluk says he's pushing his request hard at the territorial level, but quickly adds it's far from a done deal.

"The proposal has to go through cabinet, a number of standing committees and the legislative assembly," says Arvaluk.

"Whether it will be approved or rejected, I don't know. But my department is submitting to have the first stage get under way."

Arvaluk admits a new school for Baker is a priority.

Built in 1957, the school has a number of problems, including a recent incident of falling light fixtures in a classroom.

There are also air quality concerns at the school, erected long before the current building code came into effect.

Arvaluk says if the proposal is accepted and preliminary work done next year, construction would begin with a projected cost of $10 million, spread over three years.

"The construction process would take a little longer because we want to employ local people.

"We could bring in 100 construction workers who could do it in one year, but that would not meet the goals and objectives of the community."

Arvaluk says if construction does begin, the government will ensure the project provides as much local employment as possible.

"If there's able construction people and local construction companies, why not?" says Arvaluk.

"We cannot just benefit by getting a new school. We have to benefit the local economy through the design and construction phases."

Arvaluk says the project will be determined by the legislative assembly when it meets in February through March 2000.

In the meantime, he will continue to recommend the project become a priority.

"But because we're dealing with public funds, we can only push so much because it's up to the legislative assembly to review and decide what is a priority in Nunavut."

Amitnaaq principal Gerald Kelly says everyone is delighted with the news, but there's still a ways to go.

He says even if the project is approved, it will still be another four years before they have their new school.

"My main concern during that time is that the maintenance of our existing structure is kept up to par," says Kelly.

"I think all the attention the media has given our situation really helped speed up the process and I agree everything possible should be done to ensure Baker reaps the economic benefits of the project.

Arvaluk says he expects to be able to provide more information after the Capital Planning Committee meets this week.