John Curran
Northern News Services

Fort Norman (Sep 19/05) - When Tulita's new $12 million school opens in September 2007, it won't meet the needs of the community, according to the principal.

"Our gym won't be large enough and there's no built-in stage," said Wayne Dawe. principal of Chief Albert Wright school. "The territorial government is forcing us to go with a design that's inadequate for our needs."

Dawe said Education, Culture and Employment minister Charles Dent has been completely inflexible on requests from Tulita.

"We were told if we wanted the changes we'd need to come up with $400,000 on our own," said Dawe. "It has been very frustrating."

Asking schools to find outside funding partners is not new, said Dent.

"When Fort McPherson wanted to expand their gym, we told them the same thing," he said.

"There the band came forward with the money - perhaps Tulita could approach one of the oil companies operating in the area or the band."

Standards adopted in May require that all NWT schools are built to uniform sizes based on enrolment.

Tulita has 180 students, which allows for a 550 square-metre gym, said Dent.

"We don't have unlimited funds and you've got to be fair," he said.

"In this case we've made sure the foundation is big enough to accommodate the larger gym if they come up with the money."

Earthquake damaged

The community has been seeking a new building since 2003 when an earthquake opened cracks in the walls and damaged other parts of the school.

Dawe said its a great feeling to see the work begin.

"The dream of the town is starting to come true," he said.

Parents are relieved to see heavy equipment finally on the scene.

"We have some great teachers here in Tulita, but we need a good building," said Suzanne Horassi.

Horassi has two children in school - Thomas, 7 and Kathleen, 14.

Her youngest son, Joshua, 2, will soon join them.

"It's good to see the construction has started," she said. "The teachers and our kids deserve a safe school."