Dez Loreen
Northern News Services

Tuktoyaktuk (Oct 28/05) - The senior's facility in Tuktoyaktuk is not being used to it's full potential.

The 10-room facility has been open for nearly three years, and has just three residents, Nunakput MLA Calvin Pokiak said in the legislature.

"The building is not being used to it's full capacity," said Pokiak.

Housing minister David Krutko said "We'll renovate, split the senior's units off, and use the rest of the building for public use."

Pokiak suggested that it could be turned into independent living quarters for the seniors and accept residents from other communities. By making it a level two care facility, more assistance would be available to the elders, he said.

Housing worker Veryl Gruben in Tuktoyaktuk said the facility is much needed.

According to Gruben, the facility has always been used by someone at any given time.

"It's never completely empty," said Gruben. "It is a great facility, and we encourage elders to move in."

When asked if the building should be shared by members of Aklavik and other communities, Gruben stated that level two care would be necessary.

"The services offered now, wouldn't be enough to accommodate people who needed that much care," said Gruben.

In the end, the choice of filling the facility rests with the elders of Tuktoyaktuk, said Pokiak.

"We can encourage them to move in all we want, but as you know you can't force an elder to do something they don't want."