Fort Smith (Nov 08/04) - It's been a long time coming, but Maggie Kurszewski will soon be moving into her new house. And she's very happy her dream is finally becoming a reality.

The 70-year-old Fort Smith elder first asked the NWT Housing Corporation for a new house about 11 years ago, after her husband died. The corporation finally agreed to build it last year.

"I'm very grateful to all of them for it," Kurszewski says, adding she appreciates the efforts of the corporation and the workers.

However, in 2002 she became so frustrated with the housing corporation that she launched her own fundraising effort, asking people to donate a loonie each. She netted $210.

Kurszewski expects to move into her new home in a week or so and she is really looking forward to it. "It puts a smile on my face every day," she said.

The $130,000, one-storey house is ideal for her, she said, noting that it offers disabled access and special features, such as wide doors and a spacious bathroom.

Carl Simms, acting director for the South Slave with the NWT Housing Corporation, says the home is almost complete.

"There are just some minor details to be finished up," he said Friday, adding the work might be by completed today.

"From there, it should be ready to be occupied," he said, adding the house still needs to be approved by the project's technical advisor.

Kurszewski's former residence -- the oldest house in Fort Smith -- was torn down to make room for her new home.

The old log house was built about 100 years ago, and Kurszewski had lived in it since 1952.