Paul Bickford
Northern News Services
Monday, February 12, 2007

HAY RIVER - Hay River has finally agreed how to spend a $1.9 million windfall from the territorial government.

The community's three main political groups - the municipality, the Hay River Metis Council and West Point First Nation - signed an agreement on Jan. 26.

The money will go to four projects as follows:

• $1,057,511 to repair or rebuild the town/fire hall;
• $350,000 for improvements and expansion of West Point's band office;
• $350,000 for improvements to the Aboriginal Centre;
• 206,588 to refurbish various playgrounds and parks.

The money comes from the $35-million Community Capacity Building Fund, which was established in 2005. Each NWT community received a share of the fund.

One of the funding conditions set down by the territorial government was the main political groups in each community had to agree how the money was to be spent.

That lead to lengthy debates in many communities, including Hay River.

"I'm very pleased West Point First Nation, the Metis Council and the Town of Hay River were able to reach an agreement on the dispersement of the $1.9 million and change," said Hay River Mayor John Pollard.

Pollard said the money for the town/fire hall would be set aside until construction begins on new buildings, and won't be spent on any temporary repairs.

"I don't want to mix those two," he said.

An architect told council last month that it could cost $10 million to build new facilities. Last year, the Fire Marshal's Office found deficiencies in the two existing, attached buildings.

At a Feb. 5 council meeting, Pollard said the Fire Marshal's Office would accept repairs worth a little less than $200,000, but construction of a new fire hall would need to begin in two years and a new town hall in four years.

Councillors generally favoured the arrangement, although there was concern the project might cost even more than $10 million in several years.

Councillor Vince McKay said new buildings should be considered before costs get too out of hand.

"We always spend a lot of money on contemplating," McKay said.

Council will vote on a motion later this month on whether to conduct repairs.