Jorge Barrera
Northern News Services
Rankin Inlet (Jun 20/01) - A slew of major and minor education projects are slated for the Kivalliq region this summer.
According to Lorne Levy, manager of capital planning with the Nunavut Education Department, the mayor project for the summer is the construction of a new $13-million high school in Baker Lake to replace Jonah Amitnaaq school.
But there are a few other projects planned for the Kivalliq, including an overhaul to one school, a new territorial library and a new Arctic College head office.
The preliminary planning for an overhaul to Inuglak school in Whale Cove begins this summer, said Levy. Around $80,000 has been set aside for the planning phase of a new addition to the school.
"We're working with the school authority and staff as to what should be included," Levy said.
Dawn Brigham, acting program manager for the Kivalliq region with the Department of Public Works and Services, said a new gymnasium is needed in Whale Cove.
"The community doesn't have a gym," she said. "Students have to go to the community hall."
Other departments in the territory implement projects through the Department of Public Works.
In addition the Arctic College head office is moving from Rankin Inlet to Arviat this summer, along with 13 jobs.
According to Levy, Arviat's old health centre will be renovated at a cost of $670,000 to become the new headquarters.
Arviat is also getting a new health centre, while Baker Lake is the intended site for the new territorial library.
Levy said $245,000 has been set aside for the phase.
"We're looking to find a location to build it," said Levy. "Basically it will be a territorial repository and distribution centre."
Previously the Nunavut government had a contract with the library in Hay River. Now the Nunavut territorial library is holed up in the government's Construction Corporation building, also in Baker Lake.
