Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Fort Liard (Mar 29/02) - A formal opening ceremony was held last Wednesday to celebrate the new extension at Echo Dene school.

The approximate $1.25-million addition, paid for by the territorial government, was in use as of the beginning of the school year and badly needed, according to Echo Dene principal Harry Kielly. The 125 students in the K-12 school were so cramped that senior students were taking classes in a former Aurora College building across town, he said.

Echo Dene, which opened in 1991, underwent expansion several years ago, with a gymnasium and a few classrooms added. Kielly predicted the latest addition would be the last.

"If the community takes off and grows tremendously in the years ahead, there will be another school built because you can only go so far with expansions," he said.

The extension comprises an Aurora College community learning centre, a resource centre, a computer lab and a new literacy classroom. It increased the area of the school by more than 25 per cent.

Several dignitaries were in attendance at Wednesday's ceremonies.

Earl Jacobson, chair of Aurora College's board of governors, said he hopes the college's community learning centre will be a starting point for local residents to explore higher education.

Fort Liard Mayor Joanne Deneron said the facility should be seen as a stepping stone to a career or a university program, not a place strictly for high-school dropouts.

Nolan Swartzentruber, director of the Dehcho Divisional Board of Education, told the assembled students, "You can stay in this community and get a good education."