Cara Loverock
Northern News Services
Published Friday, November 9, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - There is still over $200,000 needed to complete the Bailey House men's transitional home now under construction.

Jeff Cullinmore, with Nahanni Construction, is part of the construction team building the Bailey House, slated to open in March. - Cara Loverock/ NNSL photo

The Yellowknife Homelessness Coalition is still fundraising an additional $228,000 for finishing items such as an elevator, as well as curtains, furniture and landscaping.

Mayor Gordon Van Tighem said there is a campaign to raise the remaining amount through private and corporate sponsors. Part of the current fundraising process included brochures sent out to various businesses and individuals in the community and the coalition is following up with that.

"So far it's been a great project," said Van Tighem, adding that the construction of the building is fully-funded and on schedule.

"Hopefully with the continued support of the community we'll have everything by March," said Van Tighem.

He said there was some discussion of opening Bailey House in January, but that realistically it should be open by early March. Some individuals in the community have been making quilts that will be donated to the shelter.

"The idea is that is someone comes in and gets a room they get a quilt and when they leave they get to keep their quilt," he said. "So it will be an ongoing process."

Warren St. Germain, deputy minister of Health and Social Services, said the government funding is complete and some people may have been confused by that fact, thinking the house was no longer in need of any financing.

"The public message out there was misinterpreted as it's completed, and the funding wasn't completed," said Germain, "Apparently there's been a bit of a slowdown, so (the homelessness coalition) is just trying to get that back on track."

He said that previous funding from various organizations included $1.2 million from the federal government's national homeless initiative, $1.5 million from the city of Yellowknife's Community Capacity Building Fund, the City of Yellowknife provided in-kind support close to $1 million, and the NWT Housing Corporation provided $220,000.

As well, Diavik Diamond Mines, which is also the project manager for construction, provided $300,000.