Yellowknife (Jun 16/06) - Regular MLAs say $3.5 million in upgrades to keep Deh Cho Hall in Fort Simpson open for the next four years is a case of bad planning by the territorial government.

The money will be used to upgrade the building so it can continue to be used until the department of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) decides to renovate or tear it down. Since 2002, the fire marshal has been warning the department it needs to make a number of changes. He recently told ECE that if he doesn't see progress by the end of this summer, he could order the building closed.

The 49-year-old hall is home to ECE staff, Aurora College as well as non-profit groups, including the library, Historical Society and Open Doors Society.

"This has got to be the ultimate case of throwing good money after bad," said Hay River South MLA Jane Groenewegen in the legislative assembly last week.

Great Slave MLA Bill Braden agreed.

"This pushes the notion of value for money way out there into the stratosphere," said Braden.

Other MLAs complained that the decision was left to the last minute.

"It's definitely poor planning on the government's part," said Kam Lake MLA Dave Ramsay.

Public Works minister Floyd Roland defended the move, saying his department has working with ECE to come up with a permanent solution.

"Ultimately, much work has been done, so the department has been dealing with this. It's not like this parachuted in," said Roland.

He acknowledged that this is not the best use of funds, but it's needed to keep the building open.

Roland said ECE now has to create a business plan to identify money for the future of the hall.

Based on 2004 estimates, it would cost $12 million to completely retrofit the building. That would give the hall a lifespan of another 20 years, said Roland.

A whole new building that would house only GNWT staff would cost approximately $10 million and last over 40 years.

Public Works has recommended building new facilities, but renovation is still an option, said Roland.

He said that if ECE decides to upgrade the hall, the current renovation could reduce the total cost of keeping the building open.