Baker Lake (Feb 19/03) - A large gathering was on hand for the official grand opening of the Baker Lake Senior's Fourplex this past week.

The Feb. 12 opening had been delayed twice previously due to blizzard conditions across the Kivalliq.

Baker Lake MLA Glenn McLean says the building is the first of its kind to be built in Nunavut during the past four years.

The project was a joint venture of the Nunavut Housing Corp., the hamlet of Baker Lake and the Canadian Housing and Mortgage Corp.

Among the dignitaries present for the opening were Housing Minister Kelvin Ng and Nunavut Housing Corp. president Pam Hine.

McLean says the building was constructed to promote independent living for Baker elders.

All four of the apartment units are occupied by local elders who live there full time.

McLean says the idea for the project originated when David Webster was the mayor of Baker Lake.

"David (Webster) recognized the fact we had so many elders living in Baker, we had to start pushing for more accommodations," says McLean.

"The government of Nunavut was going to put in a duplex from its housing needs assessment.

"The mayor negotiated a deal with the Housing Corp. to build the fourplex instead."

McLean says what makes the new building differ from the ordinary is a 600 square foot common area where the elders can sit around to socialize, have suppers or conduct meetings.

"It's a great addition to the building.

"If they want to have a youth-and-elders gathering, they have this big common area with a TV, tables and chairs. It's perfect."

The building, located next to the Baker Lake Hospice Society, came in at a cost of about $1 million.

McLean says the hamlet of Baker Lake contributed about $225,000 to the project.

"In addition to the four elders who live there, others can drop by for a visit and pass the time with their friends.

"They're able to talk about different areas of interest to them, while they enjoy a beautiful view of the lake.

"It's a welcome addition to our community and a very worthwhile project."