Mike W. Bryant
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Feb 20/02) - The city could be facing a major school crunch if more aren't built within the next three years, says the chair of Yellowknife's Chamber of Commerce education committee.

Rod Lowen described the need for more schools as "very, very urgent," after speaking with local realtors and mining company representatives who are wondering where employees will place their children when faced with both school districts at near capacity. That includes Yellowknife's francophone community school, Ecole Allain St. Cyr.

Lowen said between 500 and 700 homes are expected to be built in Yellowknife within three years.

"We're at about 85 to 90 per cent, with high schools being quite over-capacity," said Lowen. "I think that's where most of the need is right now."

The committee is planning to set up a forum, tentatively set for early May, to address the issue with Yellowknife Education District No.1, Yellowknife Catholic Schools (YCS), the City of Yellowknife, Department of Education, Yellowknife realtors, and Diavik and BHP mines.

Both high schools, Sir John Franklin and St. Patrick, underwent major renovations in recent years.

YCS superintendent Kern Von Hagen said while renovations to St. Patrick and Weledeh Catholic schools were extensive, they were not geared to address student population in the district.

"Both of our projects have been renovation projects," Von Hagen said. "We're replacing them seat by seat."

He added that while the district would love to build another school, and has a new one in the planning stage, any new additions will ultimately be up to the legislative assembly to decide.

This could be a tricky situation with MLAs from across the territory all competing for capital funding for their regions.

"We don't make the decision whether it is or isn't," said Von Hagen. "Simply put, we have to be on solid ground before it goes ahead."

A school zone was incorporated into building plans for Niven Lake, but is now being transformed into a high-density residential zone.

Letter sent to minister

Mayor Gord Van Tighem said he sent a letter to Minister of Education, Culture, and Employment minister Jake Ootes last week, urging him to provide more capital funding for schools.

He agreed that more schools are needed, but considering the close proximity of existing schools, finding a location for them may prove problematic.

"You don't want schools in the same place, and you don't want schools where there's no kids," said Van Tighem.

Possible locations for a new school may still include the Niven Lake area or near the new arena, said Van Tighem.

Yellowknife No.1 board chair Dan Schofield said the biggest concern for the board at the moment is to carry through with renovations at Mildred Hall School, slated to begin next year.

"On the short term, we have Mildred Hall, on the long-term, we have J.H. Sissons (renovations) and a new school," said Schofield.

Ootes could not be reached for comment as of press time.