Arviat (Mar 19/03) - A new high school in Arviat will mean more to the students than just fresh paint - it will mean a better learning environment.

"We're bursting at the seams here. We're using a portable building, two classrooms at the elementary school and we've even taken over the old day care," said Principal Fred Durant.

He said Qitiqliq secondary school is a beautiful place, one of the nicest he's worked at, but it's just too small. There are 330 students at the high school right now, and Durant said next year will be a peak year.

"We'll have to manage until we get the new school," said Durant. The school will have to manage for several more years. Officials with the Department of Education hope the new senior school will open in January 2005.

"The legislative assembly approved a construction budget for that school.

"At this point in the year, we're preparing tenders with the department of public works," said Lorne Levi, manager of capital planning for the Government of Nunavut.

The money set aside for the new school is substantial. There will be a budget of over $7 million for 2003/2004 and another $6.5 million for the years between 2004/2008.

Levi said the money will be used for a variety of things. It will be used for construction, furniture, equipment and continual design or upkeep.

Durant is happy the design plans include a bigger school but one that resembles the one they already have.

"Qitiqliq secondary school was built 26 or 27 years ago. I just love the layout and the functioning of it. The new plans mimics Qitiqliq. They've come up with something really quite remarkable," said Durant.

There are 2000 people in Arviat and the population just keeps on growing.

Durant said the new school will be a relief for both the students and the staff. Construction will begin this summer.