Chris Puglia
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Nov 08/02) - Mildred Hall is getting a new look next June.

A year of consultation is coming to a head as the building committee prepares for its final recommendation on an $8 million modernization project.

Over the past year the committee has consulted with students, teachers and parents for input on the modernization.

There have also been comparisons made to other school modernization projects.

"We've visited some schools in Edmonton to look at schools that have been recently renovated," said Adrien Amirault, Mildred Hall principal.

Three different conceptual drawings were then drafted by Tod Kirkwood of Ferguson Simek Clark. A unique approach to the conceptual drawing process is they were done in Mildred Hall.

"It's been pretty extensive. The last step to have the drawings in the school has allowed for daily input. It's a neat process," said Amirault.

The final plans haven't been decided on but Amirault said they do know what part of the school will stay and what part will go.

"What they are going to do is replace part of the school with new construction and they are going to renovate part of the school," he said.

The portion of the school scheduled for demolition is the single story elementary section branching from the library. That part of the building was built in 1965.

"The middle school area will have the least work done. It might just be paint and paper, not too much structural," said Amirault.

Despite the $8 million investment going into the project by the GNWT Amirault said it won't cover all the renovations the school requires.

For example, one thing the school needs but won't be getting is a new gymnasium.

"It (Mildred Hall) was built as an elementary school, but over the years we've grown to include some middle school age students and the gyms are a little small for them," said Amirault.

As well, there is no money for structural work on the middle school section.

"The walls are made of temporary office partitions, they are not permanent. There is no money to build walls," he said.

It is possible that the project may be phased to allow for a new gym and structural improvements to the middle school, according to Amirault.

The building committee will meet next week to hear a recommendation on which of the three conceptual drawings done by Kirkwood are approved of by the teachers, students and parents.

That recommendation will then go to the board for final approval.