Iqaluit (Dec 13/04) - February 2005 will be marked on a number of Joamie school students and staff calendars. That's when the school, which burned down in July 2003 will be re-opened.

Principal David Serkoak, left, and Ed Picco, minister of education, during a tour of the new Joamie school. - Kathleen Lippa/NNSL photo

"The opening will be very special," said David Serkoak, Joamie school principal. "The kids are getting excited, waiting for the big day to move in."

Serkoak said he feels just as excited as his students about the new school.

Since September 2003, his 220 students have been attending classes in three different Iqaluit schools.

After enduring the confusion and stress over Joamie's loss and where all his students were going to go, Serkoak is smiling again.

"I feel like a kid," he said looking around at the new building as he and officials with the department of education toured the unfinished building on Dec. 7.

People who saw Joamie school burn to the ground are amazed at how quickly the new building has gone up.

"It really is amazing how quickly it has come together," said Lorne Levy, manager of capital planning for the department of education

Joamie's lively, modern design is highlighted by a yellow, light blue, deep red and soft orange colour scheme throughout.

The rebuilding began in May 2004.

Serkoak, who lost his priceless drum collection in the blaze, recalled sifting through the rubble looking for a carving.

The mother and child soapstone carving was a gift that his wife, Lesley, a teacher at Joamie, holds dear.

Amazingly, after a long search, Serkoak found the precious carving in the ashes.

"It was broken in many places. But I am going to glue it together, and you can bet it will be at the opening," said Serkoak.

The new Joamie